ABOUT
About Hollywood Food Coalition
Hollywood Food Coalition began in 1987, with the simple mission to serve a meal every night of the year, with absolutely no barriers to service. For 34 years, without ever missing a night, their Community Dinner has done exactly that. They emphasize nutritionally-complete, restaurant-like meals, which they see as the first step in building trust with their nightly dinner guests. Whether it’s immune-boosting citrus, vegetarian curry, or sustainably-raised striped bass, they strive to serve food that makes people feel physically and mentally well, brings joy, and lives up to the ideal of food as medicine.
To learn more about the Hollywood Food Coalition’s mission and vision, please visit their website.
About Trek Talks
When Star Trek actor John Billingsley began his chat with the Trek Geeks podcast in late 2021, he had no idea that the interview would launch an out-of-this-world philanthropic effort. After discussing his career, Billingsley voiced his support for the Hollywood Food Coalition, a nonprofit where he also served as a board member. Hosts Bill Smith and Dan Davidson took note of the organization’s vital work, ultimately collaborating with Billingsley on a plan to develop a streaming telethon.
The all-volunteer team quickly grew, as Roddenberry Podcasts joined Trek Geeks to co-produce the event, and Trek Talks was born. The first Trek Talks event occurred on January 15th, 2022, and over 60 Star Trek celebrity guests – ranging from actors and producers to writers and artists – participated in virtual panels that raised over $60,000 during the course of the 8-hour stream. Donors included fans, podcasters, and professionals, as well as Rod Roddenberry and the Roddenberry Foundation.
The group built on the telethon’s success, enlisting Star Trek: Prodigy’s Bonnie Gordon to co-host Trek Talks 2 with John Billingsley on January 13th, 2023. The second event soared to new heights, raising an astounding $107,000 for the Hollywood Food Coalition. The community came together in true Trek fashion, and panel hosts included the Trek Geeks, SyFy Sistas, John Champion, and a variety of other Star Trek podcasters.
Now in its third year, Trek Talks has become an annual event that provides vital support for the Hollywood Food Coalition and the people it serves. Trek Talks’ guest list reads like an all-star roster of Trek luminaries, as its first two telethons have featured Jeri Ryan, Anson Mount, Scott Bakula, Alexander Siddig, Gates McFadden, Cirroc Lofton, Nana Visitor, Jonathan Frakes, Michael & Denise Okuda, Brent Spiner, Tony Todd, James Cromwell, Terry Farrell, Mike McMahan, Linda Park, Dan & Kevin Hageman, John de Lancie, Armin Shimerman, Brannon Braga, Robert Picardo, Ira Steven Behr, and many, many more.
With TrekMovie on board as an additional co-producer, Trek Talks 3 is scheduled to launch on Saturday, January 13th, 2024, when the team will aim for the stars in its bid to help the Hollywood Food Coalition.