LOS ANGELES (April 9, 2026) — Project Angel Food is distributing a second round of grocery gift cards to seriously ill clients who receive SNAP (CalFresh) benefits, pairing immediate food assistance with bilingual information designed to help them prepare for changes to CalFresh eligibility requirements taking effect June 1, 2026.

Supported by L.A. Care Health Plan, the initiative will provide 651 clients with $100 grocery gift cards during this round of distribution. Project Angel Food previously distributed 717 grocery gift cards in November in response to the pause in SNAP benefits due to the Federal shutdown.

In a spirit of community, volunteers packed the gift cards into envelopes on April 7 along with informational materials in English and Spanish. The gift cards are being delivered by Project Angel Food drivers and volunteers with medically tailored meals between April 9 and April 14.

This new round is timed to provide clients with support in advance of new CalFresh work and reporting requirements that may create added barriers for vulnerable people already managing serious illness. The enclosed materials in both Spanish and English outline these changes, and are intended to give clients time to understand the new requirements and prepare. The materials also note changes affecting some non-citizens that took effect April 1, 2026.

“Project Angel Food’s mission is to nourish the health and spirit of vulnerable people facing critical and life-threatening illness by delivering medically tailored meals and nutrition education with love, care and dignity,” said Richard Ayoub, CEO of Project Angel Food. “We are hearing real fear from clients about changes to food assistance that may create added barriers for people already managing serious illness. With the help of L.A. Care Health Plan, we are stepping in early with support and information so our most vulnerable neighbors can focus on their health, not fear.”

For people already living with cancer, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses, uncertainty around food access can create added stress and instability. Project Angel Food’s medically tailored meals are designed by registered dietitians to meet the complex nutritional needs of clients, and the organization’s Client Services team works closely with clients to support health and food security.

“Food security and nutrition play a vital role in promoting comfort, dignity, and quality of life,” said Melanie Fontes Rainer, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, L.A. Care Health Plan. “Our partnership with Project Angel Food reflects our shared commitment to helping seriously ill Angelenos access nutritious food and supporting the well-being of vulnerable communities across Los Angeles County.”

Project Angel Food’s medically tailored meals and nutrition education have been shown to improve health outcomes for people with serious illness, including reducing A1C levels for people living with severe diabetes and substantially decreasing emergency room visits. By combining tailored nutrition with compassionate delivery, client services and dietitian support, the organization helps vulnerable Angelenos maintain health and stability.

About Project Angel Food

Founded in 1989, Project Angel Food nourishes the health and spirit of vulnerable people facing critical and life-threatening illness by preparing and delivering medically tailored meals with love, care and dignity to more than 7,100 Angelenos each year. Since its founding, the organization has delivered more than 20 million meals across Los Angeles County and now provides more than 1.5 million medically tailored meals annually, along with nutrition counseling and compassionate client support. Project Angel Food is a Four-Star Charity Navigator organization and has twice been named California’s Nonprofit of the Year.

About L.A. Care Health Plan

L.A. Care Health Plan is the largest health plan in Los Angeles County serving more than one of every four Angelenos. It is also the largest publicly operated plan in the country. L.A. Care offers four health coverage plans including Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Covered™, L.A. Care Medicare Plus and the PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan, all dedicated to being accountable and responsive to members. As a public entity, L.A. Care’s mission is to provide access to quality health care for L.A. County's low-income communities, and to support the safety net required to achieve that purpose. L.A. Care prioritizes quality, access and inclusion, elevating health care for all of L.A. County. For more information, follow on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.