More than 1.5 million county residents struggle to afford adequate food, according to state and federal estimates cited by the hospital
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center announced it is distributing $650,000 in new grants to Los Angeles-area nonprofits fighting food insecurity, part of a broader $10 million commitment the hospital has made since 2020.
The latest round of funding will go to organizations including Food Access L.A., Food Forward, the Hollywood Food Coalition and the Karsh Family Social Service Center. Hospital officials said the money has helped supply more than 400 food pantries, soup kitchens and churches across Los Angeles County.
More than 1.5 million county residents struggle to afford adequate food, according to state and federal estimates cited by the hospital.
The announcement comes during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
Andrea Iloulian, Cedars-Sinai’s executive director of grantmaking, said the hospital views food access as a core health issue that extends beyond its medical campuses.
Food Forward will use its share to speed the movement of surplus produce from warehouses to partner agencies. The Hollywood Food Coalition, which serves nightly meals to unhoused people and coordinates a four-group food hub, said the grant will help expand warehouse space and hire its first professionally trained chef.
Arnali Ray, executive director of the Hollywood Food Coalition, called the hospital’s support “a lifeline” as the region deals with economic pressures, changes to federal food assistance and lingering effects from January’s wildfires.
