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Celebrities Promote Hunger Awareness, Upcoming Movie At L.A. Food Bank

Selena Seay-Reynolds |
September 9, 2013 | 8:40 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

Anna Faris and Will Forte at the food bank (Xizi Hua/Neon Tommy
Anna Faris and Will Forte at the food bank (Xizi Hua/Neon Tommy
Celebrities Anna Faris and Will Forte appeared at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank this afternoon to help with a nationwide food-packing event to kick off Hunger Action Month as part of a unique collaboration between Sony Pictures Animation and Feeding America. The two stars, currently acting in “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2,” helped local volunteers from the YMCA sort 80,000 pounds of donated produce while simultaneously promoting their upcoming movie.

One of five such food-packing initiatives that took place across the country today, the flagship event in Los Angeles featured a variety of activities for children, including face-painting, coloring, dancing with the characters, and of course, meeting with its stars. In addition, a food truck parked outside the food bank provided healthful and whimsically-themed meals for volunteers, such as "tacodiles" and "subwhales."

“We try to link to different cultural events to increase awareness in our community,” Michael Flood, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, explained. “This year, we worked with Sony and Feeding America to tie in the release of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.” 

Feeding America, the nation's leading hunger relief organization, dubbed September as Hunger Action Month last year in an effort to raise public awareness and activism to combat hunger in the United States. As part of this year's film initiative, Sony Pictures Animation has donated $25,000 to help provide nutritious meals to families in need, and with the help of participating food growers California Giant Berry Farms, Cal-Organic Farms, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Grimmway Farms, and the National Watermelon Board, the campaign has collected upwards of 200,000 pounds of fresh produce to be distributed to Feeding America's nationwide network of food banks.

"I loved the idea of being able to help raise awareness for this fantastic organization," Faris said, explaining her involvement with the campaign. "Our goal is to set up the next generation with a great foundation, so they don't have to concentrate on where their next meal is coming from. It's such a great opportunity to be here and to raise awareness ... and it's a great movie." 

Maura Daly, Feeding America’s Chief Communication and Development Officer, explained the similarities between the theme of the movie and the organization's goals.

“Flint, the character in the movie, is trying to do good things with food. And that’s what we’re trying to do,” she said, elaborating on the incentive to link their initiatives with the release of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.”  

Bill Hader, who was slated to join his costars today, was unable to appear. The reason for his absence was not given.

The campaign will continue throughout the month, and will feature an eBay auction, a PSA, and social media.

 

You can reach Staff Reporter Selena Seay-Reynolds here.



 

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