FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHILABUNDANCE COMMUNITY KITCHEN HOSTS GRAND OPENING OF NEW FACILITY IN NORTH PHILADELHPHIA
Will provide expanded job training for students and meals for those in need
Philadelphia, PA, September 22, 2020 – Philabundance, one of the region’s largest hunger-relief organizations, will celebrate the opening of the new Philabundance Community Kitchen (PCK) job training and meal production facility in North Philadelphia. PCK promotes the self-sufficiency of its students by preparing them for and connecting them to work in the food service industry. To celebrate the new facility and the 20th anniversary of the program, PCK will welcome the public to its ribbon cutting ceremony, sponsored by Sunoco, at 2224 N. 10th Street.
PCK is a free 16-week culinary arts and life skills training program, providing opportunities and a path to stability for low-income adults and meals for those in need. “Prior to the new building, PCK was housed in a city shelter with very little space for growth and expansion of the program, said Philabundance CEO Loree D. Jones. “We are beyond thrilled that the building now matches the quality of the program. Students and partners can now see the building reflect the same light and positivity the program offers.” The grand opening will commemorate 20 years since the program first began in 2000.
The expanded facility will allow PCK to nearly double the number of students trained to 200, expand the program from 14 weeks to 16 weeks and more than quadruple the number of healthy meals prepared for the Philadelphia community. The state-of-the-art production kitchen will increase student career opportunities in the food service industry by training participants to use professional equipment. The building is also designed to serve the North Philadelphia neighborhood in which it’s located, offering a community space and meeting rooms for community members.
PCK has served over 250,000 meals annually to Philadelphia’s most vulnerable residents. These meals are prepared and provided by PCK staff and students. Philabundance partners like Hub of Hope, Project HOME and other local shelters then provide these meals to their clients. In addition, PCKatering, PCK’s social enterprise, will be able to cater more events in the new space, with proceeds from the enterprise going back into the program.
Throughout the program, students learn everything from knife skills to life skills including budgeting, interpersonal communication, resume building, food preparation and how to act in a professional kitchen setting. While in the program, students can also earn their ServSafe certification and have the opportunity to work in the food service industry through a two-week internship. PCK staff remain in contact with graduates for a minimum of two years to ensure they maximize their employment opportunities and continue to build positive work behavior post-graduation. Since 2000, the program has graduated over 920 students.
For more information on PCK and ways to support PCK students, please contact Samantha Retamar, Public Relations Specialist at Philabundance, at sretamar@philabundance.org.
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About Philabundance Community Kitchen
Philabundance Community Kitchen (PCK) is a 16-week culinary vocational training program which has been transforming the lives of low-income women and men since 2000. Students who are accepted into the program have the opportunity to earn ServSafe certificates; have internships in the culinary industry; prepare meals for those in need; and receive retention services by PCK staff for two years after graduation. While PCK promotes the self-sufficiency of its students by preparing them to work in commercial kitchens, another focus of the curriculum is on life skills, which helps students not just secure a job but a second chance as life. Learn more at Philabundance.org/PCK.
