Wellness Kitchen provides food, education, and encouragement
-By Millie Drum
The Wellness Kitchen encourages kids to, “eat a rainbow.”
Templeton Community Guide –The purpose behind the Wellness Kitchen in Templeton is to provide healing foods to those in critical need along with education, resources and nourishing meals for individuals wanting to regain or sustain optimal health.
We all know someone in need of nourishing food particularly during a critical time in their health care; many of whom have limited support or are unable to afford the foods on their own. The Wellness Kitchen provides guidance to anyone seeking support for their family, friends and neighbors who are going through cancer treatment, a health crisis, a serious illness or recovery from surgery, or those who are seeking to regain or sustain optimal health.
The Teacher’s Fund
Recent donations to the Pay It Forward Meal Program in honor of local educators have evolved into a new direction of giving. The Teacher’s Fund is established to help those who give so much to the children of our community and are now coping with cancer.
On the average, 20 people receive food from the Healing Foods/Pay It Forward program. Recently, several children with cancer are receiving meals; a comfort to parents caring for the medical and emotional needs of the family. Donations to the Teacher’s Fund can be made through the website or by visiting The Wellness Kitchen at 1255 Las Tablas Rd., Ste 102, in Templeton.
Teaching kids to “Eat a Rainbow!”
One of the goals at The Wellness Kitchen is help everyone embrace healthy food and good cooking practices through education in order to prevent disease and illness early in their lives. Wellness Kitchen volunteers Yessenia Echevarria and Terry Knowlton are planning a variety of cooking classes for kids 6 to 12 for the fall. Go to for dates and times. The classes are taught in the kitchen with demonstrations, easy to understand instructions and hands-on participation from the kids!
Volunteers needed and appreciated!
With expanding programs, classes and community outreach, The Wellness Kitchen is fulfilling its mission to provide Healing Foods to those in critical need. But with success comes an ever-growing need for volunteers. If you love to work in the kitchen, want to learn more about the benefits of nutrient-dense food, and love your community, become a volunteer! Duties include serving on fundraising committees and events, shopping, food preparation, kitchen and general maintenance, errands and food delivery to those who are immobile.
Volunteers include teens that are choosing a nutritional or culinary arts career. Gaining experience with trained therapeutic chefs is a great advantage for teens interested in learning more about whole foods, safety practices and the daily operation of a commercial kitchen. Call (805) 434-1800, visit thewkrc.org or stop in to see the Kitchen in full swing, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The Wellness Kitchen is located at 1255 Las Tablas Road in Templeton.
