Beaches Community Kitchen members and Beaches Watch Board members
Jacksonville Beach, FL (December 4, 2013) – On December 4, local nonprofit organization Beaches Community Kitchen (BCK) was presented the 4th Annual Beaches Watch “Give-Back” donation. Mary Jane Brown, President of the Board for Beaches Community Kitchen, and other BCK representatives were in attendance to receive the $1,000 donation and provide a presentation about the Beaches Community Kitchen organization.
Beaches Community Kitchen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been preparing and delivering fresh and nutritious meals to beaches homebound residents who are elderly and disabled for 22 years. Beaches Community Kitchen has a 100% volunteer staff and all funds go directly to food and packaging for the delivered meals as well as other client needs. BCK serves over 6,500 meals annually at a cost under $2.50 per meal, but there is no charge to the recipients. And servings are heartily portioned to actually provide 2 – 3 meals. With careful planning and budgeting, BCK is able to feed one person for a year for about $350.
In her nomination, Lisa Long stated, “for 22 years, Beaches Community Kitchen (BCK) has been the great untold story of our community. Some of our volunteers have been with the organization for twenty years – providing the chance to develop relationships with the people we serve. BCK’s caring service doesn’t end at the door. Volunteers have celebrated birthdays, attended funerals, visited clients in hospitals and nursing homes, taken them to utility offices, doctors’ offices and even their own homes. The newest client is a 99 year-old woman, who is able to maintain her independent living with the help of BCK’s prepared and delivered meals.”
Currently Beaches Community Kitchen cooks out of Mission House’s kitchen three mornings a week. With cooking time limited to two hours a day from start to clean up, BCK’s ability to increase outreach has also been limited. The organization is set to transition to its OWN kitchen with donated space and commercial kitchen equipment. But additional funds are needed to make the transition.
The Beaches Watch annual “Give-Back” donation supports outstanding nonprofit organizations that help enrich the quality of life of beaches residents. “Beaches Watch is proud to present this ‘Give-Back’ donation to Beaches Community Kitchen to show our appreciation for all they are doing to enhance the quality of life for homebound beaches citizens. We hope this donation will help them transition to their new kitchen so they can grow the great work they are doing in our community,” said Beaches Watch President Sandy Golding.