Businessman, Social Reformer. Owner of Clifton's Cafeterias in Los Angeles. Opened his first L.A. cafeteria in 1931 (one of seven). During the midst of the Great Depression he permitted anyone a free meal even if patrons were penniless. By 1940 the cafeterias were serving up to 25,000 meals daily. With the help of the California Institute of Technology, he implemented a plan to serve a single nutritious meal, termed Multi-Purpose Food, at a nickel per serving. In 1944 he co-conceived Meals for Millions (today named Freedom from Hunger), an organization formed to fight starvation in 15 countries via education and assistance. The agency was first founded to offer supplemental meals at minimum cost and now distributes over 15,000,000 lbs. of Multi-Purpose Food. (Much of this attribute was developed mainly when, while residing in China in his youth, he was appalled at the condition of the plight of the hungry and lack of nourishment there. This group is now recognized by some as one of the top 100 charities in the U.S.) The remaining cafeteria is located on South Broadway in Downtown L.A., called Clifton's Brookdale Cafeteria, which boasts a setting as of one dining in the midst of redwoods, a canvas of forest on one wall, live and artificial plants, a 20-foot waterfall cascading into a quiet stream which winds through the dining area, and a prominent, elaborate sidewalk entryway in an Art Deco style.
Businessman, Social Reformer. Owner of Clifton's Cafeterias in Los Angeles. Opened his first L.A. cafeteria in 1931 (one of seven). During the midst of the Great Depression he permitted anyone a free meal even if patrons were penniless. By 1940 the cafeterias were serving up to 25,000 meals daily. With the help of the California Institute of Technology, he implemented a plan to serve a single nutritious meal, termed Multi-Purpose Food, at a nickel per serving. In 1944 he co-conceived Meals for Millions (today named Freedom from Hunger), an organization formed to fight starvation in 15 countries via education and assistance. The agency was first founded to offer supplemental meals at minimum cost and now distributes over 15,000,000 lbs. of Multi-Purpose Food. (Much of this attribute was developed mainly when, while residing in China in his youth, he was appalled at the condition of the plight of the hungry and lack of nourishment there. This group is now recognized by some as one of the top 100 charities in the U.S.) The remaining cafeteria is located on South Broadway in Downtown L.A., called Clifton's Brookdale Cafeteria, which boasts a setting as of one dining in the midst of redwoods, a canvas of forest on one wall, live and artificial plants, a 20-foot waterfall cascading into a quiet stream which winds through the dining area, and a prominent, elaborate sidewalk entryway in an Art Deco style.
Bio by: Theologianthespian
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