GAP Kitchen
Food sustains the body, but emotional and educational enrichment allows people to rise above their circumstances.
Total Meals In 2023
# of Children
# of Seniors
GAP Kitchen was born out of a practical need to reclaim thousands of pounds of quality, highly-perishable food donated to us through strategic partnerships with local and corporate vendors.
Catering
GAP Kitchen also provides catering services. Catering event funding gets funneled directly back into the kitchen in order to support our core programs. When you book an event, in addition to providing valuable funding to our core programs, you are also giving our students the opportunity to acquire real world experience.
Culinary Job Training
Serves at-risk, low-income and/or homeless youth and adults by providing quality education to under-employed, unemployed and otherwise at-risk individuals. We mentor students, giving them the opportunity to acquire skills that will allow them to move beyond surviving into thriving careers in the culinary industry.
Feeding Schools
GAP’s after-school feeding program, working to ensure that no child goes hungry. At risk, low-income students in Title 1 schools throughout Pima County are served a warm, nutritious meal after school; statistically over 40% of whom would go hungry otherwise.
Feeding the Needy
Provide meals to “homeless” children (400+ annually) in our care (SPLASH program) as well as hundreds of foster children during their court-mandated supervised visitation.
Providing Meals to Children, the Elderly, and Individuals in Need
The GAP Kitchen reclaims highly perishable donated food such as fruits, vegetables and meat, to make meals for foster children in our group homes, children in low-income schools, homebound elderly through our partnership with Interfaith Community Services, and others in need through community outreaches.
Since 2014, GAP has partnered with Title 1 Schools in Flowing Wells, Amphitheater, and other school districts. 78% of children in these schools are living at or below 130% of the poverty level, with their parents making $31,525.00 or less for a family of four. The GAP Kitchen provides warm dinners to these at-risk elementary-aged children and even their families. Over 40% of the children we serve are only fed a hot meal at school. These vulnerable children are living in extreme poverty and often very basic needs- like food – often go unmet.
On average over 600 children are fed every week across 6 schools in the neediest areas of our community. Many bring home care packages to share with parents and siblings who, like the students we serve, would likely otherwise go hungry.
Schools, Daycares, and Other Organizations serving those in Need - Partner With Us!
GAP is partnering with Title 1 school districts, low-income daycares or preschools, and other organizations that serve low-income children and adults to provide breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even just snacks to your clients. Find out about becoming a partner with the GAP Kitchen.
10 Week Culinary Arts Certification Program
GAP Kitchen Culinary Training Program exists to provide quality education to under-employed, unemployed and in-need individuals. We mentor students and provide them with the skills they need to move beyond surviving, into thriving careers in the culinary industry.
We are an organization that is passionate about helping others. Students become an integral part of that mission as they serve alongside us making food accessible to those who are in need.
The Kitchen reclaims people by serving as a training kitchen for individuals in vulnerable populations. Young adults aging out of foster care or beginning a career search, and the unemployed or underemployed lacking advancement opportunities can participate in a 10 week culinary arts certification program.
“I learned the basics of cooking and life skills”
At Gap Culinary Training Program, not only did I learn the basics of cooking, but I was taught life skills- how to manage money and deal with past grief in my life” Adam graduated at the top of his class and secured a position at a high-end restaurant as soon as he graduated. Adam now helps teach the culinary training program he was once a part of.
Feast with A Purpose
Led by Tucson Iron Chef Champion, John Hohn, GAP has been able to offer catering services since 2015. Dedicated to our customers we put a philanthropic twist on our services. We are food connoisseurs on a mission to end childhood hunger in our community and bring quality, on the job training to those in need. All proceeds from catering events goes right back into GAP Kitchen allowing us to do just that.
We work with you to tailor a catering menu that is just right for your budget and your event. We have provided catering services for everything from weddings to fundraisers and look forward to providing you with amazing serve and, of course, delicious food.
Contact us to discuss your event
gapkitchen@gapmin.com | (520) 392-8534
Executive Chef John Hohn
Chef John Hohn, our Executive Chef, was awarded Tucson’s Iron Chef Champion 2014 while at Omni Tucson National. He comes to us from the Gringo Grill and Cantina, and his past chef experiences include: Bob’s Steak & Chop House, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Hacienda Del Sol, and the Tack Room.
Along with his culinary experience, John has pastoral experience and has been involved in church leadership for the past 14 years. John and his wife are also certified foster parents, so they are a perfect match for the heart of GAP.
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