Caring Kitchen Project

Tarney Sheldon, Project Manager

Email:  sheldont@ncoinc.org

Tel: (707) 462-1950

April Cunningham, Kitchen Manager

Email: acunningham@ncoinc.org

Tel: (707) 467-3212

Our client "Dan" who is 57 and is in the midst of 4 weeks of daily cancer treatment, feels deep gratitude for the Caring Kitchen Project meals he's receiving each week. He's overcome with emotion when he tells us that this is the first time in his entire life that he has had someone give him a meal. Dan has had to go it alone for so much of his life, and now, to have strangers making delicious meals for him, delivering them to his house, and supporting him in this way while he fights his cancer, is so powerful. It keeps him going during the days when he feels like the fight against cancer is too hard.

Please know that it takes $20 to provide one meal to a client like Dan... and $960 to provide 3 weekly meals for 16 weeks while Dan and others are undergoing treatment and trying to heal from cancer. These meals are provided free of charge for the first 16 weeks. It's partners in the community (like YOU!) that make this possible. Invest in supporting each and every person facing cancer in our community by clicking on the PayPal button, or by mailing your contribution to NCO Caring Kitchen Project, 413 N. State Street, Ukiah, CA 95482

In addition to impacting the lives of people like Dan, the Caring Kitchen also impacts the lives of teens. The Caring Kitchen Project provides opportunities for teen volunteers to develop culinary skills, nutrition knowledge, and job readiness skills under the direction of a chef, and in collaboration with adult volunteer mentors. We find that cooking and sharing food creates and strengthens a sense of community, and the act of preparing and providing food to people facing cancer empowers teen volunteers to feel the full positive impact they can make in the world. Watch the Caring Kitchen volunteers in action, and learn more about what we do every week... Click HERE: Video 

NEWS AND EVENTS:

• Summer Soirée: A Dinner to Celebrate the Caring Kitchen Project, July 13th - Delicious summer appetizers, dinner, wine, beer, music, and a "fund a need" auction at Barra of Mendocino's event center in the evening... Thank you to our community for supporting the Caring Kitchen with over $10,000 in donations at this year's Summer Soirée!!! See event photos here: Summer Soirée Photo Album
• Volunteer Bash - We appreciate our volunteers... they make the magic of 108 meals going out the door each week possible! And now it's that time of year for our volunteer appreciation party! Volunteers, please mark your calendars for Saturday, September 28th from 3pm-6pm. We'll gather in Norma and Victor's garden in Willits for sharing thanks, fabulous food, friends, and community love.
• The Grow a Row Campaign is ongoing. Join in the campaign by donating organic produce, herbs, berries, and tree fruits for the Caring Kitchen's meals. Donations are accepted on Mondays between 8:30am-4:30pm in Ukiah at 413 N. State Street... please call first to make sure that your organic produce donation is something that will be useful for our client meals. Contact April Cunningham 707-467-3212 or acunningham@ncoinc.org to check in, or to make arrangements to drop off produce at the Ukiah kitchen.

WE'RE RECRUITING! 

• Adult Volunteers: We're looking for a volunteers to help tend the veggie garden at Mendocino College in Ukiah as well as volunteers to help process and preserve the summer bounty of produce. Please contact April Cunningham at acunningham@ncoinc.org (or call 707-467-3212) for further information.
• Teen Volunteers: We invite teens (ages 13-19) to complete our Teen Volunteer Application. After receiving your application, we'll contact you about upcoming pre-service workshops so that you'll be prepared to jump right into our kitchen meal preparation team. Please contact Tarney Sheldon at sheldont@ncoinc.org (or call 707-462-1950) to let her know you're applying. This fall, the volunteer shifts will be on Tuesdays 3:30-5:30pm and Wednesdays from 3:00-5:30pm.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES OF THE CARING KITCHEN PROJECT

• Support the health and recovery of individuals undergoing cancer treatment and their families by providing organic, vegetable-rich meals designed for healing
• Train teen volunteers in nutrition, cooking, and job skills
• Develop a sense of empathy in the community’s youth
• Foster meaningful connections and a sense of community for all partners and participants
• Source from local, organic food producers
• Promote “Food as Medicine” in the broader community

Chronic diseases account for the four leading causes of death in Mendocino County, with cancer (including lung cancer) and heart disease causing over 50% of all deaths, followed by stroke and chronic lower respiratory diseases. Prevention is key, and experiencing healthier living through quality, vegetable-rich meals is just what the Caring Kitchen Project is all about.

The Caring Kitchen Project includes the following components:

• Offering a weekly delivery of three-five meals to cancer patients and their families in the Ukiah, Redwood Valley, and Willits area
• Training teen volunteers to prepare wholesome meals two afternoons per week
• Preparing nutritious meals with many ingredients sourced from local organic farmers and community members
• Utilizing a local commercial kitchen to prepare the meals, with teens and adult volunteers working side by side
• Delivering meals via “delivery angels,” volunteers who will pick up meals once a week from the kitchen and deliver them to clients

OUR PROJECT PARTNERS:

• North Coast Opportunities
• Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County
• Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA)
• Adventist Health Ukiah Valley
• Community volunteers

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