Lisa Vanderpump joined Richard Ayoub, Executive Director of Project Angel Food, to countdown to Project Angel Food’s 12-millionth meal in the Project Angel Food’s Hollywood kitchen. The international restaurateur, philanthropist, executive producer and star of Vanderpump Rules came to tears making the dedication in front of supporters, volunteers, staff and gathered press at 11:09 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2019.
Lisa Vanderpump
Vanderpump marveled, “Can you believe it’s 12 million meals!” Adding, “Project Angel Food is such a wonderful organization which relies on volunteers to prepare and deliver meals to people who are too weak or sick to care or cook for themselves. These individuals need these services to stay alive.” Vanderpump reflected, “I first became involved with Project Angel Food in late 1989, so when Richard called and asked me to deliver the 12-millionth meal I was so honored and humbled, really.”
Vanderpump returned to Los Angeles from England after attending the funeral of her mother, Jean, to take part in the 12-millionth meal dedication and delivery. Vanderpump said, “There is nowhere I would rather be than here. It is important that we do what we can to give back to the community.”
The 12-millionth meal was Chicken Milano with Fettuccine. However, when it was discovered that the recipient, Bill L., who is 82 and living with psoriatic arthritis, was a vegetarian, the meal was switched before Lisa delivered it in person to his apartment in Hollywood.
Lisa Vanderpump with Richard Ayoub, Executive Director of Project Angel Food
The dedication and delivery were filmed for Vanderpump Rules. Lisa joked with the press before the dedication that she was announcing her “return to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” which drew laughter and applause from the crowd since she dramatically exited the series this season and did not appear in the RHOBH Reunion which aired on Tuesday, July 16. “I have no regrets in leaving the series,” she said. It allows me to focus on things that really matter, like being here for Project Angel Food on such an important day.”
Project Angel Food prepares and delivers medically tailored meals at no charge to feed people impacted by serious illness, bringing comfort and hope every day.
Established in 1989 in response to the AIDS crisis, today Project Angel Food prepares and delivers daily meals to 1,400 men, women and children living with critical illnesses – cancer, kidney failure, diabetes, heart disease and other life-threatening illnesses throughout 4,400 square miles of LA County.
Approximately 97% of Project Angel Food clients are living at or below the poverty level, and Project Angel Food is their lifeline, filling a vital need in all communities. The client demographics are testimony to this: 37% Latino, 29% African-American, 22% Caucasian, 6% Asian/Pacific Islander, 1% Native American and 5% Multicultural.
www.angelfood.org