Local nonprofit organization Teen Kitchen Project prepared its 10,000th meal this week! Since September 2012, teens have donated over 1,200 service hours preparing healthy meals for community members dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Teen chefs celebrated this significant milestone with cake on Tuesday, January 14.
The Teen Kitchen Project brings young people into the kitchen to learn to cook delicious and nourishing food. Teens are empowered to make a difference in their community while learning how to prepare nourishing meals from locally sourced ingredients.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than doing what you love for people who are in a time of need,” shares Spencer Cheleden, a student volunteer from Pacific Collegiate School.
The teens gain skills not only in cooking healthy food, but they also learn about the impact of their food choices, and are offered an opportunity to build connections through community service. The meals they prepare are delivered free of charge to individuals and families of Santa Cruz County who are in crisis due to a life-threatening illness like cancer.
One client’s feedback: “Without the meals you cook for me, I would not eat… I would not cook… All of you are helping me with these delicious meals for a faster recovery.”
The organization prepares food on Monday and Tuesdays out of a commercial kitchen in Soquel, California. Teen Kitchen Project is volunteer organization supported by donations from the community. To donate or volunteer as an adult driver or youth volunteer, see www.TeenKitchenProject.org or call 831-316-4540.
Angela Farley, Executive Director, [email protected] PO Box 1853, Soquel, CA 95073