Mission Values and Statements

The People’s Kitchen Mission is to provide a hot noon meal to anyone who is hungry in San Luis Obispo.

We are a 100% voluntary organization.

History

Prior to the creation of the People’s Kitchen, hungry people were looking in dumpsters for survival food and sharing the food with others who were hungry, homeless, and/or  unemployed.  Local citizens took this concept of sharing and began serving a noon meal in Mitchell Park. By the end of 1983 there were 22 different organizations participating in serving the meal.

The People’s Kitchen formed a Board of Directors and became a non-profit organization in 1984. The board made a commitment to serve a hot noon meal prepared and served by volunteers every day of the year.

A site for serving was a constant problem, with no one wanting the clients the program served in their neighborhood. Meals were served on a rotating basis.  Many properties were researched but none were found to be suitable for a permanent location.

 In 1990 the Old Mission offered to have the People's Kitchen use the covered porch, on a semi -permanent basis. We were asked to leave due to pressure from the downtown businesses. Then various churches took a month to provide a serving location. In 1995 the People’s Kitchen was moved to the Grange Hall.  Moves have been difficult with client transportation always a concern.

 In 1997 the People’s Kitchen joined other community agencies at the Prado Day Center. The city and volunteers to meet the needs of the homeless developed this center cooperatively. The new location has not changed the mission of the People’s Kitchen to continue to feed the hungry, not just the homeless. The city then needed the property for mandated water treatment improvements.

November 20, 2018 People’s Kitchen moved to the new homeless center at 40 Prado.

 For more than 30 years the People’s Kitchen has provided a noon meal to the hungry. More than 30,000 meals are served each year.  The success of the People’s Kitchen has been due to the volunteer efforts of many individuals and organizations. People's Kitchen currently has more than 40 groups helping us provide a hot noon meal.

It is noteworthy that during COVID we did not have any serving group stop bringing food. groups would drop off food and People’s Kitchen Volunteers would set up and food for clients to serve themselves.

The People’s Kitchen does not receive local, state, or federal money.  All meals are provided through volunteer efforts.

Volunteer Serving Groups

We serve at 40 Prado