Hollywood Food Coalition hosts 1st annual fundraising Improv Show at The Groundlings Theatre to support efforts to fight food insecurity and food waste throughout Los Angeles County.
Hollywood, CA - Comedian David Hoffman has assembled a stellar cast of comics for the “1st Annual HoFoCo Show - An All-Star Improv Event” fundraiser on June 20 at 8 pm at The Groundlings Theatre on Melrose, to support a cause dear to his heart: fighting hunger and food insecurity.
When Hoffman started volunteering at Hollywood Food Coalition, he became inspired by the work the organization does to ensure seniors, youth, families and the unhoused have access to healthy food each day. “They bring compassion and humanity to their evening dinners, as well as high-quality food with choices for all palates and diets. It’s what I had hoped “someone” would be doing for unhoused and hungry people. I was really inspired and thought more people should know about HoFoCo because they’d be inspired too,” Hoffman said.
By recovering edible food effectively and in innovative ways, Hollywood Food Coalition’s Community Exchange program advances climate and food justice. By diverting edible food from landfills, the Exchange provides daily ingredients to its nightly Community Dinner program, which served 83,000 meals, and shared almost 1.25 million meals last year with small to medium-sized nonprofit organizations, improving access to high-quality food for communities in need all across Los Angeles.
Hoffman became so inspired by HoFoCo’s work that he knew he wanted to do more. “When they first invited me to come take a more in depth tour of the programs, I wasn’t sure if it was because they wanted to meet the guy who plays Doug in the “Limu Emu & Doug” commercials,” Hoffman joked.” I’d never gotten an invite like that so I took them up on it, and they never let on that they knew I was a world famous actor.”
Hoffman then proposed a fundraiser doing what he does best. His idea comes at a critical time as accessing food for vulnerable populations has become increasingly challenging.
“The challenges of the pandemic and, now, rising food prices have made accessing food difficult, said Executive Director Sherry Bonanno..“When David suggested putting together a show to help us raise awareness and funds, we were beyond enthusiastic and grateful. We are all part of this vibrant city and love having the whole community come together to help alleviate hunger and suffering. Food is a joyful way to build relationships with all people.David brings a huge heart to the issues surrounding poverty and food insecurity,
Hoffman will direct and produce the one-act show, bringing his years of experience as a member of The Groundlings Main Company, and gathering some of the greatest names in improv comedy, such as Jack McBrayer (30 Rock), Kyle Mooney (SNL), Cedric Yarbrough (Reno 911!) and Stephanie Courtney (Progressive’s Flo), to raise awareness and funds for HoFoCo. “I said, ‘I’ll direct it, and I’ll get some of the best improvisers in the world. Live band, after party. That’s gotta sell some tickets, right?’ And they jumped on it. They loved the idea and have been so supportive and collaborative. It’s been a dream to work with them.”
With The Groundlings Theatre limited to 100 seats, the show is expected to sell out quickly. Hoffman hopes to make it an annual event to help HoFoCo grow its impact and serve more people. “It’ll be a special night. A theater full of generous people laughing at really funny stuff, made up on the spot.” Hoffman said.
The First Annual HoFoCo Show - An All Star Improv Event will take place on June 20, 2022 at 8pm at world famous The Groundlings Theatre.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on May 23rd, and Hoffman and HoFoCo board member Victoria Lautman will be matching all ticket sales up to $15,000.
Tickets available at: www.hofoco.org/improvshow
About Hollywood Food Coalition
The mission of Hollywood Food Coalition is to feed and serve the immediate needs of the hungry every day of the year so they can build better lives. Our vision is a city where everyone has food, community and support. Since 1987, HoFoCo has served Los Angeles’ most vulnerable residents every night of the year by providing healthy and delicious meals. Alongside the meal, HoFoCo provides access to basic daily needs, such as clothing, backpacks, sleeping bags, and hygiene items, as well as connections to housing, healthcare and other essential services. The Community Exchange, established in 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, has rescued almost 3 million pounds of high quality food from businesses and food production facilities, preventing it from going to landfills, and redistributing it to over 125 small to medium-sized non-profits around LA County and beyond.