TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Caryn Gardner-Young, Assistant City Manager
THROUGH: Chief Neal de Jesus, Interim City Manager
DATE: April 18, 2017
Title
CARING KITCHEN DISCUSSION
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Staff is seeking City Commission direction on the desired location for The Caring Kitchen operations.
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Background:
In 1978, a group of United Methodist Churches located in Palm Beach County came together to form Christians Reaching Out to Society (CROS Ministries). They realized that together they could make more of a difference assisting the community’s unmet needs. Rev. Pamela Cahoon became the first Executive Director. Under her leadership, CROS became interfaith, partnering with other faiths and denominations. Upon Rev. Cahoon’s retirement in January 2014, Ruth Mageria became CROS Ministries’ second Executive Director. For 39 years, CROS Ministries has provided food and basic needs assistance to people living in food insecure and low- income communities in South Florida. CROS Ministries utilize the talents of more than 3,000 volunteers to help families and individuals from falling into the downward spiral of poverty, food insecurity, and, in many cases, homelessness.
One of the CROS Ministries' programs is The Caring Kitchen which is their hot meal program. The program serves the homeless, individuals and families with low-incomes, people with disabilities, and senior citizens. Volunteers and staff provide breakfast and hot lunches five days a week, evening hot meals four nights a week, meals to the home-bound three days a week, and bagged lunches on the weekend. The Caring Kitchen operations is located at 196 NW 8th Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33444, two blocks north of Atlantic Ave which is owned by the City of Delray Beach (“City”). A lease agreement between the City and CROS Ministries is being prepared by the City Attorney as well as a Hold Harmless agreement so operations can continue at the existing location.
Due to its success, the impacts from The Caring Kitchen have gone beyond the property boundaries. As a result, a new location to allow the program to grow and improve is necessary. The City has partnered with CROS Ministries where it has occupied the City owned 196 NW 8th Ave building since 2004. (From 1982 to 2004 the American Legion Post 188 has leased the property.) The City has offered to lease the Old Train Depot, which is also owned by the City, while the CROS Ministries will provide the monies for any changes to the facilities for the use as The Caring Kitchen as well as possibility expand their services. However, additional possible options for the continued operations of The Caring Kitchen have been proposed and the City Commission has requested that this matter be discussed at a Workshop.
CROS Ministries in the process of starting a funding campaign and is prepared to provide a presentation to the City Commission at the April 18th Workshop.