Rising Hope Community Kitchen

The Rising Hope Community Kitchen exists to support the charitable mission of Island Crisis Care Society by using food as a vehicle for empowerment, skill-building, and community connection. As a social-purpose initiative, the Community Kitchen provides access to a fully equipped, licensed commercial kitchen that serves the following charitable objectives:

• Advancing education and life skills through food-based training opportunities such as cooking classes, meal preparation, food preservation, and nutrition education for individuals facing barriers including poverty, homelessness, or trauma
• Relieving poverty by supporting community groups, non-profit organizations, and service agencies to prepare meals, run food programs, and offer food-related services that benefit vulnerable or underserved populations
• Fostering social inclusion by offering space for community-building initiatives such as shared meal programs, cultural cooking events, and collaborative food projects that connect individuals across diverse backgrounds

To support the sustainability of these charitable activities, the Community Kitchen also rents space to local small-scale food entrepreneurs and early-stage food-based businesses. This commercial rental program not only generates revenue to subsidize affordable access for community groups and non-profits but also supports economic opportunity by offering emerging entrepreneurs – many of whom may face systemic barriers – a pathway to test, grow, and formalize their food ventures in a supportive environment.

The Rising Hope Community Kitchen is rooted in the belief that access to food, skills, and opportunity is essential to human dignity and well-being, and that a thriving, inclusive community is built around shared nourishment and purpose.