Unfortunately 1 in 7 people in LA struggle with hunger. The Los Angeles Food Bank #WeFeedLA organization helps to feed more than 320,000 individuals every month. During the month of 2015, more than 27,000 volunteers donated time to the LA Food Bank to distribute 62 million pounds of food to men, women.  Approximately 36% of those who lack food are the elderly and children.

On October 5 the General Manager of the LA Rams, Les Snead and his wife Kara Henderson Snead (NFL Network) joined President and CEO Michael Flood at Universal Studios in the Globe Theater for a night of exquisite food, silent and live auction, DJ music. The LA Rams cheerleaders, Rampage the Ram’s mascot, and over twenty of the Los Angeles Rams football players attended the fundraising evening.

I was one of the 350 guests who enjoyed the small plates by chefs Josiah Citrin (Melisse); Tony Esnault (Church & State, Spring); Susan Feniger (Border Grill, Mud Hen Tavern); Neal Fraser (Redbird); Ray Garcia (Broken Spanish); Duff Goldman (Charm City Cakes); Dave Histed (Pavilions); Bruce Kalman (Union); Jessica Largey (Simone, opening late 2016); Steve Samson (Sotto); Travis Strickland (Baltaire) and Benjamin Udave (Sysco) – See my food review of these chefs https://dineandtravel.me/2016/10/08/las-top-chefs-help-the-la-regional-food-bank/.

“We are thankful to all of the chefs, the Los Angeles Rams, Universal Studios staff and the guests who helped make our first Los Angeles Taste of the NFL event a success,” said Michael Flood, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. “While there is still much work to be done to eliminate hunger in Los Angeles, we are extremely proud that this year’s efforts resulted in raising nearly $200,000 to feed people in need.” This event will help provide 800,000 meals to feed children, seniors and families who otherwise might have gone without.  “Every $1 helps to feed 4 people and 97% of all contributions go directly towards program services,” said Flood.

Besides the LA Rams, other sponsors included Albertsons, CouponCause, Don Lee Farms, Pavilions and Vons and purveyors Alameda Company, Buffalo Photo Imaging, Chocolate Dachshund, E & J Gallo Wines, Hanger 24 Craft Brewery, LA Specialty, Leo USA, Sababa Water, Sprinkles, Sysco, Town & Country and Treasure Booth Photo.

The Los Angeles Rams are Los Angeles’ original professional sports team. They are one of the oldest franchises in the National Football League (1937) and have garnered three World Championships and sent 29 of its members to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Guests with white LA Rams footballs in hand approached some of the LA Rams star players for autographs.

The grass stained TOUCHDOWN jersey of #17 Quarterback Casey Austin “Case” Kennum went to the highest bidder for $1,300. Kennum was at the University of Houston and signed with the Rams in 2015.

For more information or to get involved, visit http://www.lafoodbank.org and follow @lafoodbank on social media.