Jimmy Kimmel Launches Food Drive Amid U.S. Government Shutdown Crisis

By Zoe Papadakis | Wednesday, 05 November 2025 12:38 PM EST

Jimmy Kimmel, host of Jimmy Kimmel Live, initiated a food drive to support Los Angeles families affected by the prolonged federal government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history. The “Jimmy Kimmel Live Big, Beautiful Food Bank” will operate at the show’s Hollywood backlot, collecting donations for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and St. Joseph Center.

The collection site, located at 6901 Hawthorn Avenue, will accept contributions daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kimmel highlighted the need for low-sodium soups, canned or pouched tuna, chicken, or salmon, nut butters, low-sugar cereals, protein bars, and whole-grain pasta and rice, alongside household goods and personal-care items like diapers, wipes, soap, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products.

The effort coincides with concerns over potential disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides critical support to millions of Americans. Kimmel’s initiative follows his recent return to air after a six-day suspension tied to remarks about conservative leader Charlie Kirk’s death. During a Sept. 17 monologue, he criticized conservatives for attempting to “score political points” over Kirk’s murder, later defending his comments as misunderstandings.

The food drive will remain open throughout the shutdown to gather donations. Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience in media and entertainment.