Numerous celebrities turned out for Project Angel Food’s fifth annual Lead With Love telethon. (photo courtesy of Project Angel Food)

On June 22, Project Angel Food’s annual Lead With Love telethon raised a record $821,759, surpassing its $800,000 goal. The organization, which prepares and delivers meals to people impacted by serious illness, launched the telethon in 2020 and has topped previous years’ fundraising with each event.

Chief executive officer Richard Ayoub said that Project Angel Food owes the Hollywood community for its success.

“This is an organization that’s been around for 35 years, and we couldn’t make it this far without Hollywood. Hollywood has always been there,” Ayoub said. “The community always steps up to volunteer, and also to donate. So that’s why we’re in the process of expanding because people want us to grow and help more people.”

On May 29, Project Angel Food delivered its 18 millionth meal. The meals are tailored to the specific dietary needs of each recipient. Over the years, the organization has amassed a large contingent of celebrity supporters, many of whom appeared and answered phones at the telethon, which aired on KTLA. The telecast was hosted by Steven Weber, Jessica Holmes, Loni Love and Alec Mapa.

“The heart of Los Angeles is compassion, it’s empathetic,” Weber said. “One of my pet peeves is how certain cities are kind of given very negative narratives, maybe sometimes for political purposes … Los Angeles is a great city. It is filled with loving people [of] every stripe, and Project Angel Food is part of the true heart of Los Angeles.”

Several celebrity attendees spoke about the responsibility of giving back.

“This is a really tough town,” Jason Alexander said. “And a lot of people struggle in this town. But there are a lot of people very willing to put themselves out to help other people here.”

“I always make sure to give back. I always make sure to try to touch others’ lives,” Vivica A. Fox said. “I feel like my job is to inspire, encourage and enlighten.”

“If you can make people smile … you make their day,” Charo said.

Jackée Harry discussed how giving “lasts,” remembering the school librarian who introduced her to her first dictionary.

“She’s the first person I looked up to. Look how long that lasts?” Harry said. “[It’s still] clear as a bell.”

Jamie Lee Curtis, Kelly Clarkson, Jewel, Eric McCormack, Jean Smart, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kristin Chenoweth, John Stamos, Lori Loughlin, Deborah Cox, Thelma Houston and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined the telecast in pre-taped segments, in addition to live appearances from Kathy Griffin, Michael McDonald, Jackie Beat, Elayne Boosler, Sarah Potenza and Vincent Rodriguez.

“Knot’s Landing” alums Donna Mills, Joan Van Ark and Michele Lee also joined the event for a special reunion. Mills joked that when they all get together, “they kind of try to outdo each other.”

“We’re all trying to be funny,” she laughed.

Mills added that without Project Angel Food, many would not be able to get the meals they need to survive.

“People are in great need, and this organization really takes care of them,” she said.

Van Ark said that, after the pandemic and last year’s union strikes, giving back is perhaps more important than it has been in a while.

“This is a time to open up your heart and help one another, and help yourself back to mental and physical health, by giving out and helping and taking care of those who … need help and are housebound,” Van Ark said.

Lawrence Zarian expressed just how far a small donation can go in someone’s life.

“With $10, you can feed a man, woman and child struggling with a terminal illness, and give them a warm, nutritious, medically tailored meal,” he said.

Gregory Zarian pointed out that if people don’t have money to contribute, giving time to Project Angel Food is just as important.

“When we go out and deliver food … we’re lucky to meet [the patients]. It becomes a family,” he said.

“I have been very lucky to volunteer now twice at Project Angel Food,” Amanda Kloots said. “The second time I came back, I brought my parents because they were in town. I brought my son both times. And not only was I making the meals on both those days, but we went out and delivered the food. And I think that’s why it’s so important to our Los Angeles community – to see how these people are just so touched by the delivery and the meals that they get.”

For information on how to volunteer or donate to Project Angel Food, visit angelfood.org.