Launched in 2023, the Great Plains Food Bank Kitchen Coalition program provided nearly 14,000 meals in its first year
Danielle Gerving from Gladys Ray Shelter and Amber Orvik from Brew Kitchen and Catering both have a strong passion to feed those in need. So when the concept of the Great Plains Food Bank Kitchen Coalition Program was introduced to each, it seemed almost too good to be true. “I love it,” Amber said about being a part of Kitchen Coalition. “If I could do this full time to cook and feed the entire community that would be my goal.”
Piloted in the Fargo area in January 2023, Kitchen Coalition pairs restaurants passionate about ending hunger with local shelters and focus on an often overlooked yet large demographic facing food insecurity – the homeless population. In fact, more than one in four individuals who utilize the Great Plains Food Bank each year report not having access to reliable housing. Without proper housing, they will also struggle with access to refrigeration or simple utensils such as a can opener or even a bowl. Kitchen Coalition addresses a number of these concerns by offering hot meals at a number of shelters prepared by restaurants. “The meals we get here are a blessing,” said Tracy, who utilizes the program through the Gladys Ray Shelter and the Downtown Engagement Center.
In a short amount of time, the program has grown to providing as many as 335 meals in a single week. Those are meals that otherwise would be going to waste. “I work closely with our events team,” Amber said. “If they have a 500 person event and only 400 people show up that’s 100 meals that didn’t go out. I then go out and collect those meals and repackage them.”
Individuals receiving meals through Kitchen Coalition cannot stress the importance enough of having these meals to look forward to each day. “It doesn’t matter what you’re eating as long as it’s a hot meal,” said one hungry neighbor.
Kitchen Coalition Partners
Downtown Engagement Center
The Jeremiah Program
F5 Project
Brew Kitchen and Catering
Fargo VA
Power Plate Meals