The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank that was founded in Pasadena over 40 years ago will provide its billionth meal in November 2016 to families in need. The LARFB partnered with Whole Foods Market and Foothill Unity Center in a special holiday turkey distribution Tuesday morning that gave 100 deserving families a celebratory turkey to take home for Thanksgiving to commemorate this epic milestone.

“This month we are distributing what’s equivalent to our one billionth meal to the community,” said Los Angeles Regional Food Bank CEO Michael Flood.

According to Flood, these numbers are calculated by the USDA which says that a standard meal is measured at 1.2 pounds and the LARFD was able to distribute 1.2 billion pounds of food to the communities in L.A. County.

“This Pasadena center serves all of the families in the local area. Foothill Unity Center is a part of that billionth meal and we are just honored to be able to kick off and launch this celebration,” said Foothill Unity Center Executive Director Betty McWilliams.

Foothill Unity Center was founded in 1980 and offers food, temporary shelter, case management, transportation, referrals and a variety of health services for low-income and homeless people in eleven communities in Los Angeles County.

“It’s especially important that as we mark the beginning of November that we are trying to do something extra for the families and individuals that we serve during this holiday season,” said Flood.

Whole Foods Market provided 100 turkeys weighing in at a hefty 15 pounds for families to go home with this holiday season.

“We’re just so happy to be here today. we love our partners, we love Foothill Unity Center and L.A. Regional Food Bank and we just think that a billion meals is such a celebration and its something that we are so proud to be a part of, “ said Whole Foods Metro Marketing Team Leader Sarah Roberts.

The LARFB serves more than 600 other non-profits throughout L.A. County on a year round basis, according to Flood.

“It’s especially significant to be here because the food bank was founded here in Pasadena in 1973,” said Flood.

These services including providing groceries to families and individuals, meals to the homeless population, and food packages for seniors to name a few.

‘We are able to serve all different age groups, ethnicities, and people from all different walks of life. For many, it’s a temporary situation,” said Flood.

Foothill Unity Center utilizes about 4,000 community volunteers throughout the year.

“We thank all the donors, those that give up their time, those that give up food, those that give up product and those that give up dollars,” said McWilliams.

From November 14-24, shoppers can stop by Whole Foods Market’s Pasadena location on Foothill Blvd. and donate $10 toward stocking a pantry for a family of four served by Foothill Unity Center through its Feed Four More program which is Whole Foods Market’s annual community food drive with a goal of feeding more than 20,000 families this holiday season.

To stay up to date with Foothill Community Center, visit https://www.facebook.com/FoothillUnityCenter.