Lead with Love: LA Strong’s 2025 Telethon Raises $700K for Project Angel Food

There is one lesson in life we all should put into practice in our everyday lives, and that’s to lead with love. When you lead with love and compassion towards yourself and others, life becomes richer, more meaningful. Six years ago, this motto became a lifeline to support Los Angeles, when the first Lead with Love: LA Strong telethon took place to raise money for Project Angel Food. This past weekend, Lead with Love hosted its 6^th annual telethon, raising over $700,000 for a cause that hits close to home for Angelenos. The live benefit television special was presented on June 28, 2025 by City National Bank and broadcast on KTLA 5.

KTLA’s studio was abuzz with Hollywood stars who were not only there to support the cause, but to make sure it was a success. Beloved Will & Grace star Eric McCormack hosted the telethon alongside KTLA anchor, Jessica Holmes, comedian Loni Love and drag queen Bianca Del Rio. Donors who called in were lucky enough to speak to one of the many stars answering phones during the telethon, including Amy Yasbeck, Cameron Mathison, Gregory Zarian, Lawrence Zarian, Tim Bagley, Michael Hitchcock and Luenell. Viewers were treated to musical performances by Cheyenne Jackson, Scott Hoying (Pentatonix), Loren Allred and Air Supply, and appearances by mystery guests, and Hollywood legends Ann-Margret and Edward James Olmos. Not only did all these stars want to raise money for Project Angel Food, but they also all had a personal connection to the charity. Most had volunteered with them for many years, some many decades, and some of them even benefited from the wonderful work of the organization during their own trying times.

Since 1989, Project Angel food has delivered medically tailored meals to critically ill individuals throughout Los Angeles County. Each year, the organization prepares and delivers more than 1.5 million meals to over 6,200 clients. The organization leads with love in everything they do while they provide nourishment and comfort to those in need. Actor and telethon phone bank all-star, Tim Bagley spoke from the heart, sharing with us his own experience with Project Angel Food. He lost a partner who had been ill and was receiving meals from the organization. When his partner passed away the meals kept coming. A few weeks after his loss, Bagley called the organization to notify them the meals were arriving but the person who’d needed them no longer did. They informed Bagley they knew his partner had passed, but they were sending the meals for him and told him when he was ready, he could call and cancel them. Project Angel Food led with love, understanding that the ailing person was not the only one who needed their assistance, so was their partner and caregiver.

Not only does Project Angel Food support those with illnesses, but they also step up in times of difficulty for the entire community. In January when Los Angeles experienced devastating fires, the organization made sure those affected had nourishing meals to eat. When times are difficult the most basic necessity, food, can become a challenge. But Project Angel Food made sure it wasn’t, and that anyone who needed help with meals could easily get it. Cameron Mathison, an actor and telethon phone bank all-star, lost his home in the Eaton Fire and knows more than most what the power of leading with love means. He shared that the community support during the last several months has really helped him, and he in turn was at the telethon doing his part to give back.

Making a meal for someone is one of the simplest things we can do as human beings, but it’s also one of the most caring, compassionate and loving things we can. Project Angel Food, its mission and its volunteers prove that every day. They lead with love and remind us that we should too.

Lead with Love 6 was a night of fun, laughter, encouragement and hope – and many surprises. City National Bank chief marketing and communications officer Diana Rodriguez presented a check for $100,000 on behalf of the bank. The number of live in-show donations doubled from last year. There was a tour of the new Project Angel Food kitchen, which is under construction, where Project Angel Food CEO Richard Ayoub announced that the volunteer orientation room would be named for Jamie Lee Curtis, a long-time volunteer and Chair of the Rise to the Challenge capital campaign. These are just a few of the highlights from the live broadcast. To see them all, watch the full broadcast.

If you are interested in donating to Project Angel Food, or volunteering your time to make meals, visit angelfood.org. For more information about KTLA, visit KTLA.com.