A new Chabad initiative launching Sept. 6 will aim to address food insecurity across the community while giving people an opportunity to give back.
The Kitchen of Kindness initiative will operate out of the Lubavitch House in West St. Paul. This project will collaborate with sponsors, families, and different organizations to prepare and distribute meals for those in need. The program is an initiative started by Rabbi Tzemach Feller and Mushky Feller, who lead the Chabad of Macalester-Groveland, in partnership with Rabbi Feller’s father, Menachem, from Upper Midwest Merkos-Chabad Lubavitch of Minnesota and the Dakotas.
“What’s really special about Kitchen of Kindness is that it gives to the people who are giving; rather than just writing a check to an organization, people have the opportunity to actually come to the kitchen,” said Rabbi Tzemach Feller.
The Lubavitch House recently renovated its kosher kitchen to aid in preparing food on a larger scale. Each session is expected to prepare around 100 meals, with the potential to produce more as the initiative grows.
Kitchen of Kindness grew from college students looking for new volunteer opportunities and wanting to address the increase in food insecurity amongst vulnerable Minnesota residents.
Rabbi Feller described the initiative as “bringing people together to benefit others through food.”
This message was reflected earlier this year when a flight from Israel was unexpectedly diverted to Minnesota. The Kitchen of Kindness team was able to prepare 300 meals for passengers stuck in the airport.
“It created a sense of community,” said Rabbi Feller. “We come to a place where we don’t know anyone, but you guys are showing that the Jewish community will always be there for each other.”
Organization leaders are hoping that volunteers will not only give meals to people in need, but also experience the connection giving to others can form.
“When they volunteer with the Kitchen of Kindness, they’re giving more than just a meal to the recipients,” said Rabbi Feller. “They’re giving the recipients a connection to the Jewish community, and they’re also going to be able to experience that same sense of connection themselves.”
Kitchen of Kindness volunteer opportunities are open to the public. Interested participants should sign up in advance, so organizers can plan for the number of people attending.
Rabbi Feller also encourages those who know someone in need of a meal to reach out to the Kitchen of Kindness via their website, so they can connect them with resources.