Project Angel Food’s Lead with Love: LA Strong telethon Saturday raised nearly $722,000 for the meal delivery organization.
The two-hour telecast, hosted by Eric McCormack, Jessica Holmes, Loni Love and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Bianca Del Rio, centered on resilience in the wake of the devastating wildfires that ravaged parts of Los Angeles in January.
Founded in 1989, Project Angel Food prepares and delivers 1.5 million meals annually to more than 6,240 critically ill individuals in Los Angeles County.
In a pre-recorded message for the telethon, Barbra Streisand said, “We can lift people up. We can lead with love. … Ensuring everyone living with HIV/AIDS knows we are with them, no matter what — there is a place for them.”
Jamie Lee Curtis, chair of Project Angel’s Rise to the Challenge capital campaign, was shown touring the org’s new kitchen, where CEO Richard Ayoub revealed that the volunteer orientation room will be named in the Oscar winner’s honor.
“Fire might destroy homes, but it can’t destroy the human spirit. Lead with Love: LA Strong captured the resilience, humanity, and heart of Los Angeles at its best,” telethon executive producer Brad Bessey said in a statement Monday. “I am deeply humbled by the Hollywood community’s incredible generosity, particularly, as a life-long fan, Ms. Streisand’s swift and powerful response.”
Ayoub added, “In our six-year history, no other show has embodied Project Angel Food’s mission of delivering hope, healing and unwavering support more profoundly. We are grateful to KTLA and City National Bank for making this night possible.”
In addition to Bessey and Ayoub, telethon producers also included Michael Levitt, KTLA’s Marcus Smith, Jacob Burch, Chris Reilly and Mark McBride.
Sponsors included City National Bank, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino and Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, which sponsored the Yaamava’ Performance Stage, Herb Ritts Foundation, The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, and Ralphs/Food4Less Foundation.
