Project Angel Food CEO Richard Ayoub, left, and actress Sheryl Lee Ralph presented the 15 millionth meal to client Vernel P., who joined the nonprofit as a part-time driver to give back. (photo courtesy of Project Angel Food)

Project Angel Food CEO Richard Ayoub and actress and Project Angel Food trustee Sheryl Lee Ralph presented the nonprofit’s 15 millionth meal on June 9.

“Project Angel Food’s 15 millionth meal is a celebration of the community who has made this milestone possible and of the thousands of critically ill men, women and children of Los Angeles we serve,” Ayoub said. “It is also a stark reminder of the vital work yet to be done. We are delivering more than 1.2 million medically tailored meals each year and the need is growing exponentially, so we know with each milestone record we set, another will be broken tomorrow.”

Ralph stars in ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” and serves on Project Angel Food’s Board of Trustees. She counted down to the 15 millionth meal live on air with KTLA reporter Gayle Anderson.

“Thanks to everybody and your hard work and what you give into making this happen,” Ralph said.

Vernel P., a formerly homeless Project Angel Food client, received the milestone meal. With Project Angel Food’s help, his health and housing situation improved. He was so moved by Project Angel Food’s mission that he decided to join the organization as a part-time driver.

“Thank you for saving my life,” Vernel said after receiving the 15 millionth meal. “The volunteers are what makes [Project Angel Food] so special and that’s why I want to be part of the team.”

Before the 15 millionth meal presentation, Anderson was honored with the 74th Los Angeles Area Emmys Governors Award by the Television Academy and Los Angeles Area Governors Award committee. She was surprised live on air by chairman and CEO of the Television Academy Frank Scherma.

Founded in 1989, Project Angel Food strives to end food insecurity and improve the health outcomes of critically ill residents. The organization prepares and delivers medically tailored meals to 2,400 critically ill men, women and children daily.

For information, visit angelfood.org. “The volunteers and workers are the ones who help make this possible.”