While soup and community kitchens help the needy in many cities, the line-ups can also be humiliating to those who depend on such charity to survive. The Kansas City Community Kitchen, which is offered by Episcopal Community Services out of The Diocese of West Missouri, hopes their restaurant-style model will make patrons feel more respected.
The modern space was designed by season 3 HGTV Design Star champion Jennifer Bertrand, giving it a warmer and chicer environment. Visitors are shown to a table and served by volunteer waiters, resulting in a more dignified experience.
Hot lunches are served weekdays with hopes of adding breakfast soon. The meals are made by volunteers using donations to the local food bank.
Dignity-Restoring Soup Kitchens
This Community Kitchen Serves the Hungry Restaurant-Style
Trend Themes
1. Dignified Community Kitchens - Opportunity for soup kitchens to adopt a restaurant-style model to provide a more respectful and dignified experience for those in need.
2. Warm and Chic Design Spaces - Chance for designers to create modern and stylish spaces in soup kitchens, enhancing the overall atmosphere for patrons.
3. Volunteer-staffed Food Service - Potential for soup kitchens to rely on volunteer wait staff to provide a more personalized and attentive service to their patrons.
Industry Implications
1. Food Service - Disruptive innovation opportunity for food service providers to explore new models of food distribution and service in soup kitchens.
2. Interior Design - Opportunity for interior designers to create welcoming and aesthetically pleasing spaces in community kitchens, enhancing the dining experience for patrons.
3. Charitable Organizations - Potential for charitable organizations to incorporate restaurant-style models into their food assistance programs, providing a more dignified experience for those in need.