The COVID-19 crisis has changed the way we think about doing most everything, including serving others. Non-profits are no longer able to have volunteers come in and serve, and are losing a major resource for meals. Food insecurity is rising at an unimaginable pace. At the same time, our restaurant community is deeply hurting in this crisis.
AJC: Compassion Kitchen helps struggling restaurants and hungry families
The Compassion Kitchen Project is connecting the needs in our community with locally-owned restaurants and providing an efficient way for individuals to arrange for the delivery and payment of meals with a tax-deductible contribution. The restaurants will be paid for the meals, which allows them to put employees back to work while providing those most in need with nutrition. Below are the non-profits we are supporting as well as our current restaurant partners. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Blanco at lisarblanco@gmail.com or Isabel Rice at ivera14@gmail.com.
Thanks to the Cathedral of Christ the King and Knights of Columbus Atlanta Council 660 in association with their charity, The Knights Initiative, for partnering to support the back office for the Compassion Kitchen Project.
Phase III: Ongoing
182,832+ Healthy meals delivered through May 31,2023
$426,000+ raised
Phase II:
154,632+ Healthy meals delivered through April 1, 2022
$380,500+ raised
Phase I: 16 Weeks, April-July 2020
$132,000+ raised
100+ Volunteers
1,000+ Compassion To Go Bags
44,021 Healthy Meals Delivered
Help by making “compassion to-go” bags
You can also help by making “compassion to-go” bags. Bags should include all of the following items:
- Applesauce/canned fruit
- Peanut butter or cheese crackers
- Cereal boxes
- Protein Bars
- Chips
- Canned Meats or Beef Jerky
- Fruit Juice
- Bottled Water
Any bag that will reasonably hold the items is appropriate. We encourage you to recycle bags already in your home. If you are using a paper bag that is open at the top, please secure it with a staple or tie. Bags can be dropped on the porch at the following locations:
657 Darlington Circle
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
2782 Normandy Drive NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
Our Non-profit Partners
LaAmistad is a community-supported non-profit organization working to empower Latino students and families to achieve their dreams. They utilize a holistic programming structure that includes after-school tutoring, parent education, English language courses, and educational Summer enhancement programs.
The PAWKids children after-school enrichment program is committed to partnering with the parents of Grove Park for the holistic development of their children spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Their mission is to provide families with various resources that will empower and encourage them while promoting Christian values, building stronger communities and developing self-sufficiency.
CHRIS180 serves the most at-risk youth and families in our community. It provides children, adults and families with high quality, trauma-informed behavioral health services and support systems. CHRIS180 is in the community daily on the front lines checking in on children who are home alone during the COVID crisis, addressing critical family needs and serving meals to the homeless. Compassion Kitchen is providing meals to be distributed to the homeless.
Nicholas House is an emergency shelter for homeless families of any composition. They currently have 35 children and 15 adults in residence. Compassion Kitchen Project is providing lunch to Nicholas House.
City of Refuge is a faith-based environment that helps individuals and families transition out of crisis. COR currently provides transitional housing for single women and women with children. Their process is to identify those in crisis (due to crime, disease, lack of opportunity), provide help (food, housing, emergency healthcare), teach new skills (education, job training, financial literacy), and provide opportunities to thrive in community (new jobs, stronger families, local opportunities). Compassion Kitchen Project is providing meals to 150 individuals at City of Refuge.
Catholic Charities Atlanta‘s mission is to provide supportive services to help families become self-sufficient. Our clients include parents struggling to keep their families together, newly arrived refugee families, Veterans, traumatized families and victims of crimes. 92% of our clients are low income and 61% live below the poverty line. More now than ever, these families need our help. Compassion Kitchen Project is providing meals directly to these families.
Odyssey Atlanta is a summer program targeting Atlanta Public School students in grades 1 – 12 from disadvantaged communities to help improve their school performance and instill a love for lifelong learning. Compassion Kitchen Project is providing meals directly to Odyssey families affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Mercy Community Church is an ecumenical congregation that serves the homeless population in Midtown Atlanta since 2005. Located in the campus of Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, they offer worship, clothing and food to those who come to their doors. During the pandemic, they are continuing to serve meals up to 100 people in the area 5 days a week. Through its partnership with The Missionaries of Charity sisters, Compassion Kitchen Project is providing meals for families living in a trailer park in South Atlanta.
Saint Mary’s Independent Living Extensions (SMILE) is a nonprofit organization of trained caregivers who work around-the-clock to enrich the lives of adults with developmental disabilities by maximizing independence, breaking down barriers, and advocating for greater community access. Many of the participants in this program have lost their income as a result of the pandemic after losing their jobs in small businesses in the community. Compassion Kitchen Project is providing meals for the adults living independently with disabilities.
Together We Rise. The mission of Together We Rise is to improve the lives of children in foster care. The Compassion Kitchen Project delivers to a group home – the Center for Children and Young Adults – and to a foster family.
Our Lady of the Americas Catholic Mission, located in Lilburn, is home to 8,000 families of more than 10 different Hispanic nationalities. Guided by the teachings of our church and under the protection of Our Lady of the Americas, the Mission welcomes the immigrant community by enriching their faith, promoting their human development, protecting their dignity and preserving their cultural traditions.
Saint Bernadette Church in Cedartown, 90 miles north of Atlanta, serves a very large Hispanic community. Many parishioners have lost their employment due to the pandemic and are struggling to make ends meet. The parish is aware of 700 parishioners that work in the poultry industry that are out of work.
Bhutanese Community Group, Clarkston
This community group has been supporting community members throughout the pandemic. They check in with families, provide information, distribute personal protective equipment, and organize home-cooked meals for families affected by the pandemic.
Mobile Home Parks: The Compassion Kitchen Project serves 45 families in need at mobile home parks located in central and south Atlanta.
Our Restaurant Partners
