The People’s Kitchen was founded in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with the mission of mutual aid and food sovereignty and four years later the mission remains strong, writes Emily Neil for WHYY.

The organization operates from its Italian Market location and consists of chefs, students, and volunteers committed to fighting hunger one meal at a time.

According to executive board member and volunteer April McGreger, the vision goes beyond battling hunger, but to envisioning a better way for everyone to share resources.

“The idea of mutual aid isn’t just positioning us where we’re taking care of people, it is giving everyone a chance to contribute, and to be involved in creating something better, … being there for each other and being each other’s safety net,” she said.

About 500 hot meals are prepared weekly and then are distributed directly at the location or in the surrounding area.

Another key element of the organization’s work is its community garden in Southwest Philadelphia. The produce first goes to the community, but when there’s an excess of certain fruits and vegetables, it’s sent to the South Philadelphia kitchen, and McGreger turns the surplus into long-lasting, tasty additions to meals.

The organization has meant a lot to many and is still going strong.

Read more about The People’s Kitchen in WHYY.

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