Our elder community is our richest resource when it comes to life. Their stories and experiences teach us if we are willing to listen.

When I started The Community Gourmet, the primary focus was teaching people at food pantries how to cook using basic staples items. We create three recipes for each type of recipe kit we donate to food pantries and churches. Teaching people how to stretch their staple items and make them three different ways became a success. The feedback we got was positive and enriching. The more people we taught, the more kits we created. To date we have donated over 1600 Recipe Kits.

In the Fall of 2022, I had the opportunity to meet our local police officer who created a very successful elder abuse task force. What she does to help and protect seniors in our county is just beautiful work. We talked about seniors and the the foods they had (or didn’t have) in their homes. The stories were heartbreaking. Having a father that’s 92 made it hit home even more. We talked about what type of foods they could benefit from. The one thing she said was to try to have it so they don’t need to cook on the stove. It’s a safety concern. The time this woman spent talking about her mission was so important. I was appreciative to have the opportunity to learn as much as I could.

When I went home that night, I couldn’t stop thinking about what she said. The fact that seniors have to choose between heating and eating kept me up. I wanted to create a kit just for them. It would need to be something that could supplement Meals on Wheels. It had to be something no one would ever have to qualify for. You can never be told no. You never have to fill out an application. These are available for whoever needs them. This wonderful program brings one meal a day to the seniors. We wanted to offer small meals like soup, tuna fish with crackers, oatmeal, Macaroni and cheese cups (easy to prepare in the microwave), protein bars and so on. With my background in the food industry I had worked in hospitals and hospice. I remember the small individual items we would have for the patients. I spoke with our dietician at our local hospital and she was a wealth of knowledge. Applesauce helps to swallow pills. Carnation instant breakfast is an easy meal when someone has low energy and doesn’t want to cook. Individual peanutbutter and jellies so everything is portioned. We also add crackers for the soup, cereal for breakfast along with oatmeal packets, canned chicken, pre made meals like beef stew or chicken a la king. With. a little more funding, we will add more protein items as we grow. These are all contained in a reusable shopping bag. I had a good idea what I wanted to put in these kits which are now called “The Care Package”. More about the name later.

The Care Package wasn’t complete. It needed more than just small meals. It need nostalgia and memories. It needed Fig Newtons, Lorna Dunes, ‘Nilla Wafers and shortbreads. Was this a healthy option? Not exactly. Well, maybe mentally it was. This gave some one the opportunity to have a cup of tea (also included) and a cookie that brings back memories of growing up. This is a moment to sit and enjoy something nice. These are items they wouldn’t buy for themselves so they could save their money to pay the electric or heating bill. We add these items because we care. We also add a blank greeting card with photos I’ve taken over the years. Maybe while enjoying that cookie, they can write a card to someone.

I reached out to to our local agency on aging and was gifted one of the nicest people I’d ever met. She was interested in our Care packages and immediately I made samples and delivered them. Our foundation was fortunate to be able to speak st the elder abuse conference. This gave us the chance to explain who we are and what we do. We got so many messages about the Care Package and agencies that wanted to try them. We delivered to police stations, General Assistance programs, churches, senior centers and of course pantries. We also make these for disaster situations. We sent 20 care packages to Fort Lauderdale to help people who suffered through the hurricane. We’ve made over 50 for asylum seekers who needed some food while they lived in a hotel. These packages can be made for any situation. To date we have donated over 600 of the packages. These are at no cost to the people that receive them.

Why do we do it? Because we care. We are a community that cares about the people in it and surrounding it. Because people need to know you care and you’re here to support them. This is where the name came from. We do it because it’s the right thing to do. You should never have to worry about where your next meal is coming from.

It’s our mission to teach, care and nourish the people of our communities. We love to do it. We have wonderful volunteers. We have a very talented Board of directors that we are blessed with.

I’m happy to come to your town and show you how you can start making meal kits like these. I can show you how to source the foods and the containers they come in. I can show you how it can be educational, heartwarming and even fun to create these kits and packages for our richest resource, our seniors.

You can contact us through our website: http://www.thecommunitygourmet.org

You can also write to us: thecommunitygourmet@gmail.com

If you would like to make a donation, we have several options including our Amazon Wish list. This can all be found on our website.

Check on your neighbors often. Listen to what they have to say. Learn a lifetime of valuable lessons.