Jeannette Rockefeller Palm Springs

Mothers Know Best

AAP – Food Samaritans marks its 30th year by honoring the organization’s founding mothers – Jeannette Rockefeller, Gloria Greene, and Joanna Jakway.

Emily Chavous Foster Current Digital, Social Scene

Jeannette Rockefeller Palm Springs
Jeannette Rockefeller was one of three founding mothers of AAP – Food Samaritans in Palm Springs.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY AAP - FOOD SAMARITANS

AAP – Food Samaritans (AAP) will celebrate its 30th year beginning with the launch of this season’s Jeannette Rockefeller Angel Program giving cycle.

AAP- Food Samaritans usually conducts an event in the fall to kick off the Angel Program for the season, but because of the current pandemic restrictions on public events that is not possible. Instead, Angel Program participants are asked to make contributions online to support AAP’s important nutrition program.

The Angel Program honors the organization’s founding mothers – Jeannette Rockefeller, Gloria Greene, and Joanna Jakway – and supports its ongoing mission to help feed low income people with chronic illnesses. Since its inception, AAP has distributed more than $13 million in direct client service to more than 2,750 clients. AAP’s clients get by on an annual income of less than $18,735.

There are many benefits that accompany each level of giving in the Jeannette Rockefeller Angel Program, including tickets to AAP’s iconic ‘Evening Under the Stars’ event. If AAP is able to hold ‘Evening Under the Stars’ in May 2021, members of the Angel Program last year who renew now will not only receive the tickets they were entitled to in 2020, but they will also receive the same amount of tickets for 2021.

As a special benefit, AAP’s long-time supporter Lily Tomlin has offered to create a custom outgoing voicemail message for donors who contribute $5,000 or more and will be happy to do it using the voice of her iconic character ‘Earnestine.’

To commemorate AAP’s 30 years of service to the community, the organization has prepared a commemorative retrospective album that takes a warm look back at those individuals and organizations who have been so much a part of its story. The album honors those involved from its humble beginnings as AIDS Assistance Program (its original name), to the many talented and philanthropic individuals and organizations that AAP has recognized over the years.

To learn more about the Jeannette Rockefeller Angel Program, visit aapfoodsamaritans.org and click on the link to the Angel Program.

“2021 marks 30 years since our organization was created,” says Mark Anton, CEO and executive director of AAP – Food Samaritans. “With the expansion of our mission in 2015, we changed our name to better reflect the inclusion of low-income people living with other chronic illnesses in addition to HIV/AIDS. We know that being part of this community means helping those among us who are struggling, and we will continue to serve all who need us with the help of our dedicated community.”

GloriaGreene

Gloria Greene

JoannaJakway

Joanna Jakway