Public funds such as Trillium and United Way grants are well spent helping small local groups to carry out their ideas. It is more difficult for these small groups to access funds because they are not established agencies with staff to support the funding process, yet the projects are more likely to continue, although volunteers rotate, once established in a community. Community Kitchens are benefiting the community in several ways. People who may not otherwise have the resources are enjoying good, healthy food with the opportunity to try interesting recipes and new, multicultural foods. Participants come away with more food than they could make at home.
Neighbours enjoy socializing together.
When the Kitchens started, a steering committee of participants and facilitators met every month to discuss issues. Now that some of the problems have been solved, full meetings are quarterly or when needed. Jasmin, as the main organizer, meets monthly with the leaders. The volunteer facilitator does some of the basic shopping herself and will sometimes start a dish at home, but everything else is divided up. This group eats together and also cooks food to bring home.