Teen Kitchen Project

Happy Hanukah to all who celebrate from Teen Kitchen Project!

Your gift supports fresh, healthy ingredients for the meals we prepare for our clients- donate here: https://teenkitchenproject.org/donate/

Interested in helping TKP prepare holiday meals for our clients? Open to all (ages 14 and up) Email [email protected] to learn more!

Angels among us continues! This time we hear from Amie Forest!

"I’ve been driving a route for TKP for nearly 3 years now. People will mention how wonderful it is that I volunteer, but what I want them to know is how gratifying it is to BE a volunteer!! I get so much out of this work. I meet wonderful people, provide an essential service to those in need, and get to know my community better. This organization is a win/win/win. The folks I deliver to are always really appreciative, and it’s so cool that young people are getting this great experience, creating nutritious food. I also witness firsthand how well-run Teen Kitchen is. Your donations are being effectively utilized. Please join me in supporting them!"

Thank you Amie for your kind words!

There are many ways to support TKP. If you can't volunteer, consider a gift to support meal delivery and youth development! A gift of any amount makes a HUGE difference!

Our Delivery Angels truly are "Angels among us" Jim Morris has been volunteering with TKP for two years. Jim is our "go to" guy for picking up shifts for others if someone is suddenly unavailable and we appreciate his flexibility. Here is what Jim had to say about his time at TKP.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my experiences as a Delivery Angel. I consider it a privilege to be able to help members of my community, albeit in a small way. With every delivery I'm reminded that we don't do this thing called "life" on our own and to treat each day as the precious gift that it is."

Learn more about TKP and how to support HERE: https://buff.ly/47uarCE

Another "Angel among us"! Delivery Angel Karen Jackson shares her experience of service at TKP. Thank you for your service, Karen!

“I have been a TKP Delivery Angel for almost 3 years. I love being part of this organization. My goal besides delivering the delicious, nutritious meals is to bring a touch of brightness to the clients day. Some are so alone. A kind word & a smile goes a long way”.

Learn more about getting involved here: https://buff.ly/47uarCE

On this day of giving, let's send some love to the "Angels among us", Our Delivery Angel Volunteers!

Here is what Lauren Turner had to say about her time with TKP:

"Teen Kitchen Project has given myself and so many others the chance to turn compassion into action. I love being part of an organization that helps those in need today while simultaneously working to foster the value of community and service to the next generation. "

Learn more about how to support TKP by visiting our website! https://buff.ly/47uarCE

This Giving Tuesday we would like to highlight the "Angels among us", our Delivery Angel volunteers! First up we have Roger Swenson, who has been volunteering for TKP for 6 years. Here is what Roger had to say,

“When I retired I knew I wanted to stay busy so I looked around for a volunteer position. Teen Kitchen was one of the first opportunities I found. I signed up, they let me try it out, and I have now been delivering meals for them for over six years. I know I am helping people who are having a very difficult time and I am glad I am able to do that. And there is a bonus. The Teen Kitchen staff is wonderful to work with, you can choose your time commitment, and there are multiple ways to help. This is a great organization and I am happy to be a part of the team.” Learn more about volunteering here https://buff.ly/3jIt6mT

Today is Giving Tuesday! Consider a gift to Teen Kitchen Project in support of delivered meals for the critically and chronically ill and vital youth development programming! https://buff.ly/47uarCE

"Working in the kitchen makes me feel so happy and brings joy to my day. It is something that I look forward to every week and I can’t wait to go. I have learned so much about myself and the creativity that I can express in the work that I make. The creativity of the kitchen flows through everything, there are so many different types of meals you can make and I love seeing how every single one turns out. I love being part of a community that is bigger than my family and Teen Kitchen gives that to me." Your gift today supports valuable after school opportunities for youth! https://buff.ly/47uarCE

As Thanksgiving weekend comes to a close, we share our gratitude to the 60 teen and adult volunteers, 14 adult staff, 20 teen chef staff, donors, and community partners who made possible the largest Thanksgiving meal delivery to date!! Let’s do it again in 2024!

This Tuesday is international day of giving, Giving Tuesday! This day was established in 2012 as a way to inspire people to do good. Giving Tuesday inspires generosity in all forms- donate, volunteer, or show up for a friend or neighbor. This coming Tuesday, consider a gift to TKP to support youth development and meals for the critically and chronically ill!

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at TKP! We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with our community through your support!

TKP registered dietitian Toni Toledo has many conversations with our clients during their nutrition counseling sessions. Here is a quote from one client shared with her this past week!

Donate to TKP via today and help us expand impact by supporting the purchase of new kitchen equipment! Donate here: https://buff.ly/3UqTMIH

Join us Saturday, November 18th as we prepare a Thanksgiving feast for our clients! Email [email protected] for more info.

We are so excited to start working towards the goals set forth by our strategic plan! This plan was created by our staff and board and will drive the activities of the organization for the next few years. See a more detailed version here: https://buff.ly/3slFdhx

Tune in to Santa Cruz Voice at 1:06PM to listen to Think Local First Santa Cruz Susan O'Connor Fraser interview TKP Executive Director Angela Farley!

We are so grateful to The Sharks Foundation and Western Digital for their recent grant to TKP! We look forward to hosting them in our kitchens for some meal prep soon!

Here is what one caregiver had to say about their brother receiving TKP Meals.

"I just needed to call to tell you how much my brother LOVES these meals. He likes them more than what I make for him. At first, I felt guilty because he was receiving some other meals before and then his social worker strongly encouraged me to change to the TKP meals. We haven't looked back. He enjoys them so much and I KNOW he is getting delicious and nutritious meals. In fact, last night I said "Would you like to go out to dinner or I can bring something home?" and he requested one of his TKP meals instead. He likes them THAT much. Thank you, ALL!"

Client Voices: "I JUST ate one of the meals...just now! It is so good. Thank you for all you are doing for me. I never in a million years thought that I'd need help with food, etc. Here I am, I need help and TKP is helping me. I feel very fortunate and grateful. I do have a support system--family in-town, nearby---but the ability to have something ready to eat that tastes so good and nourishes me...is wonderful. PLUS, I have one more connection each week and I know that helps, me as well. Helps all of us. Thank you!"

Happy Birthday to our Volunteer Manager and Database Coordinator Sophie Bassett!! We hope you enjoy your day and are so glad to have you as part of the team!

Looks like fun! Thank you The California Giant Foundation!!!

The California Giant Foundation is hosting a Bunco Night on Wednesday, October 25th at the California Giant Berry Farms HQ at 75 Sakata Lane.

If you'd like to join, please RSVP with Leslie Diaz at [email protected] or by calling the number on the flyer below. Seats are limited - register now!

Event proceeds benefit community non-profits via The California Giant Foundation. CASA of Santa Cruz County, Jacob's Heart Children's Cancer Support Services, Seneca Central Coast, Teen Kitchen Project, Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, Inc., Partnership for Children, Monarch Services - Servicios Monarca, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services, CASA of Santa Cruz County, CASA of Monterey County

Check out our new partner, Kale Yes! They produce t shirts with a focus on healthy eating with a punny twist. Cue the dad jokes! 10% of the proceeds from your purchase gets donated back to TKP! We are working on a cobranding design but for now, check our their shop at and https://buff.ly/3Q6G6nd

We had some amazing speakers last week at our farm dinner. Hearing directly from people we have served, both teens and clients, was so meaningful. We thought you might like to hear some of what client Joseph had to say,

"Wise food combination meals prepared at Teen Kitchen serve to act as good education for my food preparation at home. Clean, delicious, moderate portions made with consistent quality have proved to assist along with weekly medication injections in lowering my A1c...Instead of eating my way, I filled myself with these free (to me) menus. As I'm now encouraged by my A1c improvement I am motivated to keep on with it by making further good food choices. I am inspired to emulate the selections of meals I've had in my food preparation at home. Now I'm secure in my progress, never looking back. Many thanks to everyone at Teen Kitchen Project for so much goodness."

Keep on keeping on, Joseph! We are so grateful you were willing to share your story at the event. Please donate today to allow us to continue to provide healthy meals to people like Joseph!

It’s been a hot couple of days in our kitchen! Big thanks to all teens who make the commitment and show up after school to prepare thousands of meals in our kitchen each week! You guys rock! Learn more about becoming a teen chef in our bio. Interviews for January cohort starts in November.

Thanks to our partnerships with local health care providers and our amazing donors and funders, we started caring for 100 NEW clients in September- an amazing organizational feat for both our client services and kitchen team. Donate today to allow TKP to continue to address the growing need for home delivered healthy food for those living with critical and chronic illnesses! https://buff.ly/3jwAAt7

Thank you, Evey, for being one of our teen speakers at our farm dinner. Here is a part of Evey's testimonial about her experience at the kitchen,

"While working at TKP, I have met amazing chefs who were willing to give me guidance as well as constructive criticism when I needed it. I have been able to grow as a chef alongside other teens, many of whom I have also formed close friendships with. Working in the kitchen has allowed me to make a difference in my community and grow my skills as a chef simultaneously. I have learned things in the kitchen through hands-on experience, from how to properly hold a knife to operating a tilt skillet. Each day I go into work, I am assigned a meal that I get to make from scratch. Meals include different types of salads, pastas, scrambles, and more. Producing about 100 each day, it is a lot of hard work. Once completed, every meal is packaged and bagged. Once the cooking and packaging are done, the kitchen needs to be cleaned. We finish washing all the dishes that we used, as well as sweep all the floors, wipe the tables, and put everything away.

As I have gotten more experience in the kitchen, I have been able to make recipes on my own and even teach the newer teens some of the things I´ve learned.

Becoming a senior teen has shown me that I can take on a leadership role and that has boosted my confidence both in the kitchen and in the world.

I am excited for my future with Teen Kitchen Project and thank you all for joining us this evening."

Thank you, Evey for speaking about your experience at our farm dinner!

This Saturday join us at Aptos Village Park for Grazing on the Green! This event provides much needed funding for nonprofits like TKP to provide vital services to people living with cancer, as well as supporting research efforts for better treatments and cures. Get tickets here: https://buff.ly/3AMoBi3

Thank you Client Services Volunteer Lupe and Delivery Angel Debby for representing TKP at the Health Fair in Watsonville presented by Pajaro Valley Health Trust!

Thank you to our Delivery Angels for attending our most recent get together! After enjoying a lunch provided by , Volunteer Coordinator Sophie, along with Health Information Officer Lizzie and Delivery Coordinator Ali presented a HIPAA refresher course, short client Q and A, and then we received a short training on the use of Narcan by the Harm Reduction Coalition, who provided the delivery team with Narcan to take with them on deliveries. It was a very productive lunch and learn! Learn more about becoming a Delivery Angel here: https://buff.ly/3jIt6mT

We would like to wish our TKP September birthdays a joyous trip around the sun! Happy Birthday to our TKP Board Vice President Lisa Finkelman Smith and Happy Birthday to our Packaging Coordinator Carol Mc Kee! We hope you enjoyed your birthdays this month and we are so grateful to have you on our team!

Thank you to our donors and sponsors who made our annual Everett Family Farm dinner fundraiser a huge success! This year (so far) we have raised $95,100 and that number is climbing as donations continue to roll in. It would surpass our wildest dreams to get to $125,000! If you want to contribute to this goal, please make your gift here: https://buff.ly/3jwAAt7

Our 2023 farm dinner is sold out! We look forward to seeing guests today at Everett Family Farms! A huge thank you to all who came to prep for our event over the past couple days! Thank you and for your support of this event!!

We still have a handful of tickets for our Everett Farm Dinner this Saturday starting at 4:30PM! Special thank you to for crafting a delicious menu to be prepared alongside our teen chefs for this event using and produce. We have two new wine sponsors as well: and . Get your tickets today as it will be an amazing event on what will be a gorgeous day for doing good things with great people! Tickets here: https://buff.ly/3Eycfxo

Wishing all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah a new year filled with sweetness and peace!

Seeking candidates who wish to make a difference in the Santa Cruz community through nutritious food and youth empowerment! The team at Teen Kitchen Project looks forward to learning more about you and your enthusiasm for leading, nurturing growth, and keeping things on track in the kitchen.

TKP started cooking eleven years ago with a small group of teens and adults volunteering their time after school to cook and package meals for those living with serious illness. Together we prepared 45 meals for four clients and their families. This week we prepare over 2,000 meals for just over 180 clients and their families. Thank you to our many donors and in-kind sponsors who make it all possible!