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Community Kitchen
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Kitchen. Frequently Asked Question:
What
is the Community Kitchen?
The Community Kitchen is located in the Robert J. Delonis Center
(which is also home to the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County)
at 312 W. Huron Street in Ann Arbor. The kitchen provides 20 meals
per week to those in need. Our intent is to use collective resources
more efficiently to feed people in need, and to use food as a
tool to engage and nourish our entire community. We hope to expand
enrichment programs like the YMCA Chain of Plenty, which provides
life-skills and foodservice training to special needs youth.
Why do we need a Community Kitchen?
Before the new site, the Shelter Association lacked the facility
to prepare or serve meals on site; therefore an impressive but
complicated network of rotating meals emerged. Previously, Food
Gatherers made 15 deliveries a week to 7 sites which served the
same population. Now, one centralized location enables guests to
avoid walking in the cold and increases accessibility for those
at the shelter with physical limitations. Volunteers have a fully
equipped health department approved kitchen, allowing for better
use of time and food resources, ultimately increasing the quality
of meals served.
Have services changed?
The meals are served largely by the same volunteers at the same
time on weekdays (lunch at noon, dinner at 5:30). Breakfast is
available 7 days per week for shelter guests, or for the general
public at St. Andrews breakfast program. A mid-day weekend meal
is served at the kitchen on Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm. Guests
with physical limitations have improved access and those with
conflicting work schedules are able to arrange an alternate meal
time. The Community Kitchen enables more efficient management
of food and volunteer resources, serves more people, and minimizes
duplication of effort and expenses.
How can I help?
Support comes in many forms. Financial contributions help ensure
that a hot meal is available to anyone in need. Please contact
Food Gatherers for more information on the Community Kitchen,
to learn more about volunteering, or for information on donating
food or other resources.
Food Gatherers - (734) 761-2796, foodgatherers.org
Ann Arbor YMCA/Chain of Plenty - (734) 663-0536, annarborymca.org
Shelter Association of Washtenaw County - (734)
662-2829, annarborshelter.org
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