Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Kelly
Hi Maria, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I planted the seed of AMOR Healing Kitchen after a 14 year career in teaching high school. My love for plant-based food, local farms, working with teenagers, and supporting people in a time of need is the foundation of AMOR. I had been with my mom during her cancer diagnosis and she was the one that instilled in me a love of cooking and healthy food.Through my own journey of healing asthma and eczema I have been shown the powerful connection of our food and our health. Through AMOR I hope to bring that healing to our community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every day is an opportunity to learn and grow both professionally and personally. Coming from a high school teacher background to running a nonprofit has presented a fair share of challenges, big and small. From operating during COVID to hiring staff and creating budgets, it has ALL been learning for me.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Founded in February 2018 on John’s Island by a Charleston County high school teacher, our nonprofit is dedicated to bridging the nutritional gap for those facing critical health challenges while nurturing future generations. Our mission is twofold: providing nourishing meals to individuals with challenging health issues and empowering young people through hands-on culinary and community service. We also have a separate program where the community can order food from us and that helps to fuel our mission of bringing that food to people not only facing health challenges, but also economic hardship.
We are 100% whole foods, plant based. We source as much as we can from our local growers and utilize organic ingredients as much as possible.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The pandemic posed unique challenges, particularly for our immunocompromised clients, who were at the highest risk of contracting COVID-19 and facing severe consequences. In response, we took proactive measures, temporarily closing our kitchen to volunteers. The executive director and chef personally undertook the responsibility of preparing all 150 meals and ensuring safe deliveries to our clients’ homes.
In navigating the uncertainties of the pandemic, our commitment to sustaining services without disruption not only addressed immediate nutritional needs but also offered a lifeline of emotional and social support to those struggling with fear and isolation.
This experience proved to us that in the most difficult times our ability to adapt and restructure our processes is essential to maintain the integrity of our program and allow our clients to depend on us 100% when needed.
Pricing:
- $35 donation – provides 1 week delivery for a client
- $70 donation – provides 1 week delivery for client and caregiver
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amorhealingkitchen.org
- Instagram: @amor_healing_kitchen
- Facebook: AMOR Healing Kitchen
