Prominent Los Angeles muralist Robert Vargas unveiled his latest work of art Friday, honoring the efforts of Food for Health – a free, fresh food distribution program created by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF).
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Food for Health was started in 2021 to combat food insecurity among the disadvantaged and now serves more than 20,000 people every month.
Carlos Marroquin, the program's national director, said they wanted images outside their headquarters that celebrated what they stand for.
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"Communities everywhere are struggling with security," Marroquin told KNX News' Larry Perel. "And he wanted to do something about it and present something that can give the community hope, love, and the arts."
Marroquin said one of the images at the Sinclair Hotel, features a powerful image of a farm worker holding two pieces of corn, representing pride.
"It's very symbolic of the program," Marroquin said. "We provide fresh produce and staple items people love to cook and use, and we also represent food as medicine."
Marroquin said the AHF believes that art can inspire change, which sparked the relationship with Robert Vargas, whose mural will serve as a testament to the community's strength.
Vargas may be best known in L.A. for his massive portrayal of Fernando Valenzuela, who he painted 50 ft up in the air on the side of a building in Boyle Heights.
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