Written by Tiffany Parker, WGNS Radio
WGNS' Tiffany Parker spoke with Giving Kitchen founder Jen Heidinger Kendrick. He recalls the day her late husband spoke publicly about her diagnosis of cancer at a fundraiser – a fundraiser that her late husband told her about as she began her treatment. It was organized by her friends to help… Jen and her husband Ryan, who were living in Atlanta at the time, said their goal for the fundraiser was to raise $15,000. But this event brought more than that…
Now calling Middle Tennessee home, Jen is focused on helping others in the food industry through her Giving Kitchen, which celebrated its third anniversary in Tennessee late last month.
During its third anniversary, local residents, culinary leaders, chefs and tastemakers gathered at the Tennessee Tasting 2024 event to showcase the organization's mission to support at-risk food service workers.
Nearly 200 participants came together to raise vital funds and demonstrate their unwavering support for the Giving Kitchen cause.
Until now, restaurant workers in places like Rutherford County and as far away as New York state have been short on resources when they needed them most. That's why Giving Kitchen has had great success supporting restaurant workers who are facing hardship.
Since its founding, Giving Kitchen has provided stabilization assistance to approximately 18,000 food service workers across the country, distributing a massive $12 million in direct financial assistance. The impact of this support is huge… Funds raised at the Tennessee Tasting 2024 event are enough to cover 64 gas bills, 493 water bills, 246 electric bills, or 25 months of housing for people in need.
Despite ongoing economic challenges and high inflation rates, Giving Kitchen continues to offer hope to food service workers across the country.
