SoCalGas employees volunteered at Project Angel Food to assemble meals and gift packages for veterans. (photo courtesy of Project Angel Food)

In recognition of Veterans Day, volunteers from SoCalGas joined Project Angel Food to assemble a one-week supply of medically tailored meals with specially curated gift bags for veterans.

The gift bags were donated by SoCalGas volunteers and ensured that 124 critically ill U.S. military veterans received a special token of appreciation on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The “Dinner and a Movie”-themed gift bags were designed to bring joy to men and women who have bravely served in the armed forces. Each reusable canvas bag included a heartfelt note signed by volunteers and staff expressing gratitude for their service. The gift bags were filled with three DVDs, pasta and pasta sauce, pistachios, popcorn, a blanket, socks and personal hygiene items.

Members of Team SoCalGas assembled the gift bags on Nov. 3 and Nov. 9, and worked in the Project Angel Food kitchen preparing and packing the meals. Nelson Garcia, a Marine Corps veteran who served from 2001-05 and has been with SoCalGas’s Employee Care Services for six years, said he enjoyed volunteering at Project Angel Food’s facility on Vine Street in Hollywood.

“It means a lot,” Garcia said. “There are a lot of veterans that need help, and anything I can do to contribute to that really makes me feel good. But, more importantly than that, we are helping out our fellow service members.”

“This shows how community partnerships can make a real difference,” Project Angel Food CEO Richard Ayoub added. “At Project Angel Food, we wanted to honor our veterans for their dedication and service. SoCalGas and their amazing volunteers not only funded our gift bags and meals, but they also rolled up their sleeves to prepare and deliver them.”

Established in 1989, Project Angel Food is committed to delivering daily meals to 2,500 critically ill individuals and providing over 1.5 million meals annually across Los Angeles. All meals are medically tailored to help improve health outcomes based on recipients’ specific medical conditions.

For information and to volunteer, visit angelfood.org.