Cooking With Love 

BY MAGGIE OLIVE KLEIN
 KONKLIFE STAFF WRITER AND EDITOR 

Key West is a very unique and special place. Not only is everybody warm, welcoming, and friendly, but the community cares for each other in ways that go deeper than just an obligatory “hello”. Located at 1215 Petronia Street, nonprofit program Cooking With Love provides quality lunches to members of the community that aren’t able to cook for themselves every Saturday since 1996. 

In the first couple of weeks of the program, Cooking With Love was providing about 60 weekly meals to the community. Now, there are about 240 meals being distributed every Saturday, and surely more to come. The team works efficiently every week in order to get the hot and healthy meals prepared and delivered, and many relationships have been formed just from the exchange during drop offs. Typically, the cooks begin prep work for the large amount of meals each Friday for about 3-4 hours, depending on certain factors including thawing. Every Saturday morning, cooking and prepping is finished up early, and at about 9:15, the food is ready. 10-12 volunteers prepare the lunches from the quality food that is made, and pack the hot meal in individual grocery bags with other groceries. After this is done, the crew gets a bit of a break, and then, there is a 10:45 pickup in which drivers come to grab the prepared bags for their route. 

Each driver has their own route, one that is significant to the relationships they have formed throughout their involvement with the program. Many recipients are lonely, and the highlight of their week ends up being the familiar face bringing them food every Saturday. Joan Higgs, one of the hardworking members at Cooking With Love, says, “I’m not sure if its more important to receive these meals, or to get a knock at the door and know that someone remembered them and brought them something special. A lot of people don’t have much family here, so seeing a familiar face and having that interaction is just as important as getting the food.” She continues to explain that ever since she has been coordinating the volunteers, putting the same ones on each route, the connections that have been made are special and long-lasting. There have also been a number of occasions where the knock on the door has actually saved some recipients lives, as they were in poor health but no one was made aware. Jarret Nyschick, a volunteer, recounted a time when he brought a meal to someone and they thanked him, saying that because they didn’t have to spend money on food, they were able to pay for their necessary medication. Nyschick recalls being extremely touched by the experience, and finds deep purpose in the work he does for the community. 

Reverend Steve Torrence also shed light on the beauty that is Cooking With Love, and with Joan Higgs, emphasized the inclusivity of the group and recipients. They explain that although it is based out of a church, all are welcome, regardless of their personal beliefs and faith. The team feels strongly about the necessary services that they provide, as there are so many people that belong to the elderly and disabled community that are incapable of cooking. The community thanks you, Cooking With Love! You are doing amazing work, and reinforcing what Key West is all about. 

Pictured is prepped meals, and Sean Brandenburg, Police Chief, and his wife Julie, en route to deliver on July 9th

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