Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has given fans plenty to cheer about on the football field. But in Dec. 2021, he made headlines for something beyond football. Herbert donated $25,000 to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, helping provide 100,000 meals to children and families across Los Angeles County. The donation arrived just before the holidays, when many families were struggling to put food on the table.The gesture was also very personal for the QB He credited his parents for teaching him to help others and said he wanted to support the community he called home. At a time when many people were still dealing with the effects of the pandemic, the Chargers quarterback wanted to do his part.
Justin Herbert’s $25,000 donation helped put 100,000 meals on the table
On Dec. 15, 2021, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank announced Herbert’s $25,000 contribution. The donation was enough to help distribute 100,000 meals throughout Los Angeles County during the holiday season.The need remained high even as life began returning to normal for some people. Families across the county continued to face food insecurity, with many still feeling the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Food Bank reported that it was distributing more than twice as much food as it had before the pandemic.Herbert wanted to help his neighbours through that difficult period. In a statement released by the organisation, he explained what had inspired him to make the donation.“My parents always instilled in my brothers and me the importance of service to others,” Herbert said. “As a member of this community, I felt it was extremely important to give back and support my neighbors. People are in need, and it’s our job to come together and help.”His words reflected the values his family had taught him. Rather than treating charitable work as something separate from his life as an NFL player, Herbert saw it as a responsibility to the people around him.The contribution also built on the Los Angeles Chargers’ earlier support for the same organisation. During the pandemic, the team had made a significant donation to help people affected by layoffs and reduced working hours.
Why the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank needed support during the holidays
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank had been working to fight hunger in the county since 1973. Its network of 700 partner agencies helped distribute food and groceries to people who needed assistance, including children and families facing financial hardship.At the time of Herbert’s donation, the organisation was providing food assistance to an average of 900,000 people every month. It also relied on donations and the efforts of around 15,000 volunteers to keep its programmes running.The Food Bank’s donation model helped make contributions go further. According to the organisation, every dollar donated could provide four meals to someone facing food insecurity. Herbert’s $25,000 gift therefore offered meaningful support during a particularly difficult time of year.Michael Flood, the organisation’s president and CEO, expressed his gratitude for the quarterback’s contribution. He noted that although the numbers had fallen from their pandemic peak, the Food Bank was still distributing more than twice the amount of food it had handled before the outbreak.Flood’s comments highlighted the ongoing challenge facing families across Los Angeles County. The holiday season can bring additional pressure for households already struggling with everyday expenses, making community support especially valuable.Herbert’s donation helped the organisation continue its work when many families needed assistance. It also showed how an individual contribution, backed by a local charity’s distribution network, could reach people across a large community.In Justin’s case, the gesture came down to a simple belief: people should help one another when they can. His $25,000 contribution did more than fund meals. It helped the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank continue supporting children and families during a difficult holiday season.
