Gilead Foundation Grants $3M to Fight Food Insecurity

In a move that’s bringing a wave of much-needed positivity, the Gilead Foundation has committed over $3 million in grants to tackle food insecurity across the United States. This significant investment is all about expanding access to healthy food for families who need it most.

The initiative, aptly named ‘Healing Hunger,’ is spearheaded by the nonprofit arm of Gilead Sciences. It’s set to empower 14 local and regional organizations that are on the front lines, working to meet the nutritional needs of communities in California, North Carolina, New Jersey, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

Addressing a Critical Need

These grants arrive at a crucial time for our country. The ‘Healing Hunger’ program aims to build long-term food security through innovative approaches like mobile markets, vital nutrition education, urban farming projects, and school-based food distribution systems. The focus is squarely on communities grappling with the highest rates of food insecurity.

Shreya Jani, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Gilead Sciences and a Board Member of the Gilead Foundation, highlighted the deep connection between food security and overall health. ‘Food insecurity is linked to a wide range of health risks, including chronic conditions, infectious diseases, and other serious illnesses,’ Jani stated. ‘Through Gilead Foundation Healing Hunger, we are partnering with organizations that provide education, infrastructure, training, and more to make a real impact and improve health outcomes.’

Who’s Receiving the Funding?

The grants will fuel a variety of community-driven efforts. Here’s a snapshot of how the funding will be distributed:

• In California, the California Association of Food Banks will scale up a sourcing model to distribute 1.2 million pounds of culturally relevant produce, while also supporting minority-owned farms. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank will expand its mobile pantry to provide 2.5 million pounds of food.
• The Social Justice Learning Institute will distribute 850,000 pounds of produce and grow its urban farming and education programs in Inglewood. Food Forward plans to recover 833,000 pounds of fresh produce, tackling waste and emissions in Southern California.
• In the Southeast, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina will distribute a massive 17 million pounds of food through 600 partner agencies.
• The Mid-Atlantic region will see the Community Food Bank of New Jersey deliver 2.28 million pounds of food to children and enhance workforce training. The Interfaith Food Pantry Network will support 2.3 million pounds of year-round food distribution and recovery efforts in Morris County.
• In Washington, D.C., the Capital Area Food Bank will expand mobile market sites and distribute 1.2 million pounds of food via 170 schools. The Maryland Food Bank will bolster school pantries, providing 2.4 million pounds of food to families.

This funding will expand access to culturally relevant food, strengthen local food systems, and improve long-term community health. — Stacia Hill Levenfeld, CEO, California Association of Food Banks

The California Association of Food Banks, in partnership with five Bay Area food banks, expressed deep gratitude for the Gilead Foundation’s investment. Stacia Hill Levenfeld, CEO of the California Association of Food Banks, noted that this funding is crucial for expanding access to culturally relevant food and strengthening local food systems.

A Commitment to Community Resilience

The ‘Healing Hunger’ program is a testament to the Gilead Foundation’s broader commitment to supporting the communities where Gilead employees live and work. In 2024 alone, the Foundation contributed an impressive $21.5 million to organizations focused on education, health equity, and community resilience.