Dear Friends,
As I write this letter, Cathedral Kitchen and the guests we serve, are facing concerning threats.
For nearly 50 years, CK has been a beacon of hope for our most vulnerable neighbors – those experiencing income, housing, and food insecurity. As the largest community kitchen in Southern New Jersey, we serve more than 5,000 individuals annually through our robust meal and outreach program, and support guests through on-site social services, culinary arts job training, and employment opportunities. Our work strengthens an under-resourced and under-sized social safety net, creating opportunity for transformational change in the lives of those we serve; people like James and William, who are highlighted in this newsletter. With the support and resources we provide, both have gone on to secure good jobs, stabilize their lives, and give back to their families and communities.
We are a critical, anchor institution in Camden County’s social safety net, and as we work to meet growing community needs, we are facing serious, unforeseen challenges:
Record demand for meals and services
In 2024, we served 351,814 meals onsite—an increase from 248,770 in 2022. Meals served to families rose by 82% over the same period, reflecting a significant rise in food insecurity among low-income families with children. With anticipated federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits, we expect demand for our meals and services to grow at an even higher rate than we’re seeing today as economically marginalized households bear the brunt of these cuts. This surge will strain our budget with additional cost for food and supplies, and the costs of food and supplies are increasing daily.
Loss of federal funding
We were recently notified that our annual FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program grant, which provides about $50,000 toward food costs annually, has been frozen indefinitely. This loss compounds the ongoing inflation-related increases in labor, utilities, and general overhead, adding yet another unanticipated strain on our budget.
As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2026, CK remains committed to being a beacon of hope in Camden, working to help people out of food insecurity and championing their pursuit of stability and prosperity. We are putting structures in place to support our sustainability through these challenging times, including continuing to grow our successful social enterprise – CK Catering from the Heart. 2024 was a record year for our catering business and we hope you will consider using CK Catering from the Heart for your next event; graduations, spring and summer parties. Also, stay tuned for information about how you can help us celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2026!
We are incredibly grateful to our many supporters – volunteers, donors, and advocates, who make our work in the community possible. It is only together that we can uplift the least among us. And with your help, we will overcome today’s challenges.
With gratitude,
Carrie Kitchen-Santiago
Executive Director
