Community Kitchen
The Community Kitchen® program trains unemployed people in food rescue and meal preparation, who in turn create meals for people in need. Sodexo supports and helps fund Community Kitchen programs, and hires many of its graduates.
Local initiatives with large effects.
Organized by America's Second Harvest members, Community Kitchen programs across the country train unemployed people in food rescue and meal preparation. With this training, they create meals that are served to people in need. Courses are taught by professional chefs and include life-skills and job-readiness training, as well as placement in career-track positions in the food service industry. Sodexo not only supports America's Second Harvest's efforts and funds individual Community Kitchen programs with grants, but we also hire many of the program's qualified graduates.
“It's a great feeling that I was able to help someone, train them, and then actually put them out there in the job field. You just defeated three things: you fed the homeless, you trained somebody, you gave them a job. You can't ask for more.” - Reggie Sanford, Production Manager, Sodexo
“I've worked many different places and always had a job, but in 1998, I hit rock bottom. I became homeless. Then I learned about the culinary arts training program at DC Central Kitchen, which is supported by the Sodexo Foundation.
I completed the program and was hired by Sodexo. I am now an executive chef for the DC Central Kitchen and have completed my associate degree in culinary arts. I know sometimes when you donate money to an organization, you probably wonder if you're really doing any good. I am living proof that the money donated through the Sodexo Foundation is making a real difference in the lives of many people.” - Chef Jerald Thomas
This single mother of two was on public assistance and struggling to pay her rent and buy food. Learn more about the Community Kitchen program through Toni's Story.
