LOS ANGELES (Aug. 25, 2025) — Project Angel Food today marked a historic milestone — its 20 millionth meal — at the organization’s temporary production kitchen at Amped Kitchens (230 W. Ave. 26, Los Angeles). Janelle James, star of ABC’s Abbott Elementary and a 2025 Primetime Emmy nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, joined Project Angel Food CEO Richard Ayoub for a countdown and presentation of the milestone meal to Celeste F., a Project Angel Food Community Supports (CalAIM) client. James and Ayoub then volunteered in the kitchen.

The milestone underscores the growing reach and impact of Project Angel Food’s model of medically tailored meals paired with personalized nutrition counseling from registered dietitians — practical, actionable guidance that helps clients make healthier choices every day. It also highlights the role of Community Supports, which integrates medically tailored meals and nutrition services into health care for eligible Californians.

“Twenty million meals is twenty million acts of care — and proof that food is medicine,” said Richard Ayoub, CEO of Project Angel Food. “We reached our first 10 million in 27 years; the next 10 million took just nine because the need keeps growing. Our registered dietitians equip clients with real-world, daily choices that improve health. These services are vital to health care and sustaining them is essential as federal funding faces headwinds.”

“It was an honor to be able to prep meals and meet one of the recipients of Project Angel Food’s meals. The work this organization does is so important,” James said. “Volunteering has been amazing. Everyone is kind and passionate about the work they’re doing here. To be able to be part of this milestone and to see the full operation and scope of all the people that they serve has been incredibly meaningful.”

About Janelle James

This year, Ms. James earned her fourth Primetime Emmy nomination (2025) for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her scene-stealing turn as Ava Coleman on ABC’s critically acclaimed Abbott Elementary, now in its fourth season. A fan favorite and critical standout, James has also been recognized by the Golden Globes, Independent Spirit Awards, SAG Awards, Critics’ Choice Awards, Gotham Awards, and the Television Critics Association (Individual Achievement in Comedy). She recently joined the cast of Netflix’s animated series Strip Law, voices Olivia in Sony’s The Garfield Movie (with Chris Pratt and Samuel L. Jackson), and previously voiced Joy in Disney+’s Monsters at Work. As a writer, James received a 2024 WGA Award nomination for History of the World, Part II. She has written for Showtime’s Black Monday (and appeared on the series) and Apple TV+’s Central Park. Her summer run, Janelle James on Tour, was a sellout; she has also toured with Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, and David Cross. Her debut album, Black and Mild, earned rave reviews, and she appears in Season 3 of Netflix’s The Standups (2021).

About Project Angel Food

Founded in 1989, Project Angel Food nourishes the health and spirit of individuals facing critical illness by preparing and delivering medically tailored meals with love, care, and dignity. Each year, the organization provides over 1.5 million meals to more than 7,157 seriously ill clients across Los Angeles County — 20 million meals delivered to date. The new Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Campus, now under construction, includes a major renovation and an adjacent new facility. This $51.5 million initiative will double meal-production capacity to meet rising demand. Project Angel Food is accredited by the Food is Medicine Coalition and consistently earns a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating, with 89 cents of every donated dollar directly supporting meal programs.