FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contacts:

Amy Prenner, (310) 709-1101

Noe Garcia, (805) 535-8745

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CAROL BURNETT, LILY TOMLIN, MARTIN SHEEN, MAGIC JOHNSON AND MORE HELP PROJECT ANGEL FOOD REACH FUNDRAISING GOAL OF $800K DURING TWO-HOUR LIVE TELEVISION EVENT ON KTLA 5

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HOLLYWOOD, CA (June 24, 2023) – The live broadcast of Project Angel Food's LEAD WITH LOVE 4 presented by City National Bank proved to be a resounding success on June 24, 2023. It surpassed its $800,000 goal with a remarkable total of $823,735 marking the fourth year in a row that the telethon’s goal was met. The two-hour event aired live on KTLA 5.

Emmy-winner Sheryl Lee Ralph opened the show, Carol Burnett made a rare television appearance, and Martin Sheen shared a special message to the viewers. The night was filled with fan favorites, celebrity messages, an All-Star Phone Bank of celebrities taking donor calls, and musical performances.

"Chicago Med" star Steven Weber made his debut as host of LEAD WITH LOVE 4 and KTLA Morning News anchor Jessica Holmes returned to host the annual televised event and were joined by Loni Love and Alec Mapa who also returned as dynamic co-hosts.

Highlights included:

• ‍Lori Loughlin, who has volunteered with Project Angel Food since January 2021, appearing in a “People Behind a Project Angel Food” package reminding people that delivering meals for the organization is more than just dropping off food, adding,  “It’s the human connection. It’s the love that you bring to people, checking in to see how they are doing, seeing if they need anything else. It’s just the little extra mile we all go here at Project Angel Food.”‍
• Sheryl Lee Ralph’s inspiring opening, kicking off the show with this message: “As a member of Project Angel Food’s board of trustees, I’ve been involved in this important work of being of service to those who need us most for over 30 years. And I will be here for as long as it takes.”‍
• Cindy Crawford announcing a $75,000 matching grant from the Herb Ritts Foundation, saying, “Project Angel Food exemplifies the values cherished by Herb during his lifetime: caring for others with kindness and compassion, lifting people up with dignity, and helping to offset devastating diseases like HIV/AIDS with love.”
• A hysterical series of comedy bits with longtime supporters Melissa Peterman and Loni Love delivering meals to recipients.
• A “Wings,” reunion with Steven Weber and Amy Yasbeck‍
• A TV “doctor off” with “Chicago Med” ER chief Steven Weber and ER’s Noah Wyle‍
• Five “Mystery Guests” included American Idol alumni Paula Abdul, Food Network Personality Valerie Bertinelli, Multiple Award-Winning Superstar Lily Tomlin, Noah Wyle and Amy Yasbeck.
• Live in-studio performances by American Idols David Archuleta and Grace Kinstler singing “The Prayer,” and Rachel Platten singing her hit songs “Girls,” “Stand by You,” and an impromptu version of “Fight Song.”
• A very special performance from Marie Osmond, who sang a tribute to her friend and Project Angel Food supporter, Olivia Newton-John.
• Presenting sponsor City National Bank’s Linda Duncombe, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing, Digital and Product Officer, delivering a $100,000 check to Weber, Project Angel Food CEO Richard Ayoub, and Holmes.
• Loni Love and Steven Weber closing the show with some fun twerking as a result of surpassing the telethon goal.
• “Night Court” star Lacretta impressed the All-Star Phone Bank singing opera in response to a donor challenge.

Executive produced by television veteran, Brad Bessey, along with Michael Levitt, Ayoub, KTLA’s Marcus Smith and Jacob Burch, and Mark McBride, sponsorships, the live two-hour fundraising special was jam-packed with surprises, energy and fun. Bessey says, “We are absolutely delighted that Steven Weber graciously stepped in for his dear friend Eric McCormack this year, infusing the show with an abundance of joy, laughter, and heartfelt moments. He truly brought a captivating and memorable experience to this year's event.”

The All-Star Phone Bank, emceed by Mapa, created the most unpredictable and entertaining segments of the night with Mindy Cohn, Kim Coles, Lacretta, Jai Rodriguez, Jonathan Del Arco, Rachel Lindsay, Lawrence Zarian and Gregory Zarian talking to donors throughout the night and creating comedy chaos along the way.

In addition to American Idols David Archuleta and Grace Kinstler, and Rachel Platten’s live performances, musical highlights included Pentatonix, who performed a powerful version of “Sound of Silence,” and Chrissy Metz, who performed her hit song “Better Than I Found It.”

Celebrity messages flooded in from supporters Carol Burnett, Cindy Crawford, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Lori Loughlin, Eric McCormack, Chrissy Metz, Niecy Nash-Betts, Marie Osmond, Sarah Paulson, Pentatonix, Pauley Perrette, Melissa Peterman, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Martin Sheen, Sherri Shepherd, Jodie Sweetin and Tiffani Thiessen.

Ayoub reflected, “It is truly heartening to witness the proactive response of the city as it rallies to support us in tackling this pressing issue of providing Medically Tailored Meals to thousands of people who need us most.” Donations are still being accepted for LEAD WITH LOVE 4 at angelfood.org/love.

Sponsors for LEAD WITH LOVE 4 presented by City National Bank include City National Bank, Herb Ritts Foundation, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, Ralphs•Food 4 Less, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Bezdek Family Charitable Fund, Ron Burkle, The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, Mary Fisher, Michael J. Libow, The Loreen Arbus Foundation, SoCalGas, Stanley and Joyce Black Family Foundation, Exelixis, Gilead, L.A. Care Health Plan, Have A Heart Save A Heart, The Oskowitz Family, Jason Ball and Troy Jones, Maureen and Paula Rubeli Foundation, Victoria Principal, Michael Willard, and W Hollywood.

Project Angel Food feeds critically ill men, women, and children in Los Angeles County. The organization delivers Medically Tailored Meals, with care and compassion, directly to the client’s homes. More than 2,500 vulnerable Angelenos are fed daily, with more than 1.5 million meals delivered each year.

Photos are by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Project Angel Food: LINK HERE

Lead with Love 4 Clips courtesy of KTLA for Project Angel Food: LINK HERE

Arrivals EPK courtesy of Project Angel Food: LINK HERE

To learn more about Project Angel Food, please visit www.angelfood.org.