When many hands and hearts come together, it’s amazing what can be accomplished. That’s the idea behind The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation’s Community Kitchen. It’s not just an industrial kitchen, it’s a place for sharing, a place for learning, a place that offers a hand up.
Two programs are offered out of the space, which was created with the help of an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant: low-cost cooking classes where participants learn new cooking skills and about healthy eating and menu planning, and volunteer sessions that prepare meals for the food bank and men’s shelter.
Barb Stronach runs a program at the Community Kitchen called Lend a Hand, in which a group of five to six people come together and help cook meals for those who use the food bank.
“It’s run by volunteers and it’s a work in progress. But what we’ve done in a year is amazing,” said Stronach, who volunteered out of her love to cook.
With the Community Kitchen, The Table’s food bank has been able to make more use of food donations received from various groups in the community, particularly bulk donations that without a proper kitchen couldn’t be divided. Now, for example, instead of simply handing out full turkeys, volunteers can make a full meal for those in need, who may not necessarily require a full turkey but would still love a holiday meal.
The Community Kitchen, which works co-operatively with the District of Muskoka and the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit, was something The Table worked on for two years, said Stronach. “It’s all falling into place. There’s a lot of passionate people that want to participate. We work together toward the same goal – getting things (bulk food items) out of the food bank to where it needs to go. Everything is now being used to its full potential.”
It’s a hand up. People have a perception of food banks, like ‘Here’s $50 worth of groceries.’ But it’s more of hand up. We make take-home meals. Barb Stronach
In addition to relying on food donations, the programs at the Community Kitchen wouldn’t happen without dedicated volunteers and they’re always looking for people who want to help.
“We’re hoping to do a lot more but we need more volunteers. Now it’s a matter of keeping it moving forward,” said Stronach. “There’s so much opportunity once you have a home base. The community supports us like you wouldn’t believe.”
The community kitchen is also available to rent if someone has a need for a larger kitchen: caterers needing a certified commercial kitchen, chefs offering master classes, or private groups hosting cooking parties or special events. For more information, call 705-783-5827 or email [email protected].
For a monthly calendar of available classes and volunteer opportunities, visit The Table’s website here.
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