Cathedral Kitchen offers an array of supportive measure to help the community in Camden. They operate in a new building with a cafeteria that seats about 275 people. They are no normal soup kitchen nor your average food pantry; Cathedral Kitchen is the future of nonprofit industry.
A beautiful, newly constructed space, Cathedral Kitchen operates as a community center for anyone who needs a warm meal. It is open to all ages and people ages 16 and up are encouraged to volunteer to do everything but cook the food.
The Kitchen is where a lot of the magic happens. CK runs a full-time culinary arts training program. About a dozen applicants out of several thousand are selected and are enrolled for a free job-placement training program. There is a 75% rate of graduates gaining employment as a chef after completing the program. The food that they cook could easily be served in a restaurant and trust me when I say you'd like it. As Chef Jon candidly told me and (I'm sure) many others: "If we won't eat it, they don't".
If you would like to volunteer, you can do so between the hours of 3:30-5:30pm on weekdays and 11:30am-1:30pm on Saturdays. If you are concerned about safety: Don't be. CK has their own private security and most everyone who comes in is extremely appreciative. The last thing 99.99% of the recipients would like to do is stir up trouble because they know they won't be allowed future entry if they do so.
In addition, Cathedral Kitchen offers medical care and oral surgery (provided by local professionals on a pro-bono basis). Honestly, what a great place, check it out if you would like to make a difference. read more