Clifford Clinton
Clifford E. Clinton was a California restaurateur who founded Meals for Millions, one of two parent organizations of Freedom from Hunger, in 1946. Clifford E. Clinton was also owner of a cafeteria-style restaurant chain named Clifton's.
Early life
Food charity
In 1944, Clinton asked Henry Borsook, a Caltech biochemist, to develop a food supplement that would provide proper nutritional values while costing no more than five cents per meal. Clinton offered $5,000 of his own money to finance the research. In less than one year, Borsook and Mme. Soulange Berzceller, a skilled French cook, together developed Multi-Purpose Food, a high-protein food supplement that could be made for just three cents per 2-ounce meal. This led to the founding of Meals for Millions as a not-for-profit organization in 1946.During the next ten years, 6.5 million pounds of MPF were distributed to relief agencies in 129 countries, including the United States. The original MPF consisted of composed of 68.0% of soy grits, 23.4% dehydrated vegetables, and 8.6% seasonings. Clinton funded the first few years of MFM's operation.
Additionally, Clinton opened his so-called "Penny Restaurant" in 1931, at the height of the Great Depression to serve people who could not otherwise afford a meal. He combined his first name and family name into "Clifton's" restaurant, which still exists in Los Angeles. The restaurant not only featured low prices, but also a multi-story dining experience, complete with themed dining areas, musicians to entertain diners, and additional free services to assist jobseekers.