Kitchens for Good Gains New Quarters, $100,000 Matching Fund Offer

By Eva Trieger

SAN DIEGO — You know when you learn about something and it’s just too good to keep it to yourself?  That feeling of wanting to shout it from the rooftops or paste a banner advertising it on the side of a city bus? Yeah, that level of excitement. I first experienced the miracle that is Kitchens for Good in 2019, when the San Diego Jewish Community Foundation invited its donors to tour the beautiful and supremely functional facility. Founders Aviva Paley and Chuck Samuelson have gone on to new adventures, and have taken a more advisory role, as Lindsey Seeger steps into the role of Director of External Affairs.

A few weeks ago, I was able to steal a few minutes of Seeger’s time to hear about all of the changes since my initial introduction to this resilient and life-affirming organization.

It will surprise no one to learn that COVID wreaked havoc with so many individuals increasing the need for fresh, nutritious meals to a much greater number than before the pandemic. Some families who had been getting by in 2019 suddenly, for the first time, found themselves struggling to know where their meals would come from. Over the course of the pandemic the need for food doubled. One in three San Diegans is food insecure. For Kitchens for Good, this was indeed a setback, but even more unsettling was the need to pause their classes from March to September, and seek out ways to support apprentices who’d been furloughed. These individuals who’d worked so diligently to get their lives back on track, were now finding themselves having to scramble to deal with external issues. Childcare, parental care, and health issues plagued these committed folks who’d spent months honing their “knife and life skills.”

Then, just when things seem darkest, a ray of light rents the blackness and sends out beacons illuminating every crevice and corner.  The first glimmer came in the form of a new home!  Following up on a  tip from a donor, KFG learned that the Salvation Army building in Linda Vista was vacant. After raising funds to renovate the 7000 square foot space and training center, the “machine” was ready to increase quality and capacity. The program could open up to twice the number of apprentices and produce ten times the number of meals as before. Larger refrigerators and freezers, as well as more hands on deck, took the numbers from 1,000 meals at a time to 10,000!

That wasn’t enough for the forward-thinking folks at Kitchens for Good. Prior to the pandemic the apprentices had offered a catering service, but with the need for social distancing and issues surrounding health and safety, that ended. A few new programs replaced the catering and created new opportunities for careers for the apprentices including a Baking Apprenticeship as well as a Food Services Managerial Apprenticeship. The 20-month training program offers the students the opportunity for training at the facility, working at the job site, support with job placement, all the while earning a paycheck! The model allows for guaranteed wage increases as the apprentices work with over 130 employer partners.

September 15th marks the sixth anniversary of the Culinary training program and now the Baking and Food Services arms are graduating industry-ready individuals too.  As of this interview, 380 graduates have completed the training at KFG and have gone on to work in many of San Diego’s fine restaurants.  At least 80% of them remain on track, even in the face of COVID.

While the pandemic hit a pause button for many of us, Kitchens for Good used the opportunity to re-evaluate and revamp the programs they offer. “We would have missed opportunities if we stayed the same, “ Paley told me. This line of thinking led to the creation of a retail and online experience. The public is encouraged to explore Shop Kitchens for Good as they partner with donors and corporations such as Sur la Table, to provide specialty food products and pre-loved kitchen items.

Then, rivaling only Sirius, the dog star, a donor stepped forward and in recognition of Hunger Action Month proposed a donation matching up to $100,000. This unbelievable opportunity ends on September 30, 2021. This campaign not only provides food for those who need it most, but perhaps more importantly, the chance for individuals to be trained to become professional chefs, bakers and food service managers. This ensures a successful battle against hunger by quelling the root cause, employment and wages. The opportunity to demonstrate humanity and faith in someone who has experienced incarceration, substance abuse or domestic violence seems a most appropriate way to manifest tikkun olam, and there is no time like the present.

Please click on the link to share in this mitzvah. https://support.kitchensforgood.org/campaign/100k-hunger-relief-campaign/c355650

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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer based in Solana Beach, California