U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) met with faculty and parents at Para Los Niños’ Hollywood facility, one of many organizations he has helped to provide federal grants over the years, on May 3, 2022. (photo by Rance Collins)

U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) announced on Jan. 17 that more than $10.4 million in federal funds will be provided to 11 organizations to address homelessness, housing and food insecurity in the 30th Congressional District. Project Angel Food will receive $913,500, and The Center in Hollywood and the Hollywood Food Coalition will each receive $750,000.

In total, Schiff secured nearly $13.7 million for community projects in his district, including programs to support local education, public health and public safety. The funds were included in fiscal year 2023 federal government funding legislation, which President Joe Biden signed into law on Dec. 29, 2022.

“Congress’s community project funding has become a powerful tool to secure much-needed funding for organizations doing good in my district – helping them dramatically multiply the number of people they reach, the areas they serve and their ability to make a difference in people’s lives,” Schiff said. “Homelessness, housing and food insecurity are some of the most dire issues my constituents and the L.A. area are facing and so this year, I felt that we needed to focus on projects that can quickly and effectively bring people off of the streets and into safe, supportive environments, and connect those in need with resources and services. These 11 projects do just that in the form of housing aid, food aid, employment assistance and other efforts to connect unhoused individuals to shelter, housing and wraparound services. I’m thrilled we were able to secure such robust funding, and look forward to seeing the tremendous impacts these projects will make across my district and the region.”

Project Angel Food will use the funds to expand its capacity to prepare and deliver healthy meals to people suffering from serious illness.

“Congressman Schiff’s appropriation will be transformative for Project Angel Food and our Medically Tailored Meal Program,” CEO Richard Ayoub said. “Project Angel Food will get necessary kitchen and equipment upgrades and replacements and will purchase solar panels that will virtually eliminate our monthly electric bills. We are grateful for this generous grant.

The Center in Hollywood will use the funds to expand its day center services to a second location. The center gives unhoused individuals access to health care, mental health, substance use, sanitation and other supportive programs and resources,” said Nathan Sheets, executive director of The Center in Hollywood. “The funds will go straight to advancing the person-centered, essential work of The Center in Hollywood, and throughout Los Angeles. The center extends the gift of welcome to all people who enter our care, and the support of the U.S. Congress will only allow us to be even more effective at delivering our mission of providing safe, sustainable and low-barrier entry into community, health care and housing connections.”

The Hollywood Food Coalition plans to put the funds toward building a community hub that provides meals and access to housing, health, mental health and employment services for unhoused and low-income individuals.

“These funds will be instrumental in achieving Hollywood Food Coalition’s longtime goal to create a Food Equity and Community Resilience Hub,” director Arnali Ray said. “We will be able to significantly improve the services we offer to thousands of low-income Angelenos, and make strides toward eliminating food insecurity, food waste and poverty in [the 30th District] and beyond.

Additional recipients include YWCA of Glendale and Pasadena ($2.2 million), Glendale College Foundation Rental Assistance Program ($1.25 million), the Little Tokyo Service Center ($1 million), the L.A. River Encampment Resolution Grant ($982,045), Glendale Police Department Homeless Response Program ($731,000), FoodCycle L.A. ($652,500), the L.A. Youth Ambassador Program ($640,108) and the Labor Community Services Basic Needs Program ($600,000). For information and a list of all funded projects, visit schiff.house .gov/funding-requests.