Young Londoners put their chef hats on to feed community members in need

An after-school youth program in London teaches youngsters how to cook a variety of meals which they later give away to people in the community facing homelessness and food insecurity.

More than a dozen students from Grades 5 to 9 show up to the YFC (Youth for Christ) Kitchen every week, where they make new recipes that are delivered to the Crouch Resource Centre's hot lunch program and a weekly lunch outreach program at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School. 

"It's important for them to be exposed to the needs around them and know how to meet them," said YFC London's program coordinator Hannah Smit. "A lot of times, it's easy to see the things going on around us but not know what to do and how to help people. Jesus lived his life serving others so we want to encourage them to do that."

Students have made dishes like hot chilli, stir fry, egg sandwiches, enchiladas, curries and small items like muffins and cookies. They also learn basic skills like measuring, cleaning up and hygiene in the kitchen, along with cooking on stoves and ovens.

Being able to help feed others is a way of giving back for Dammy Aduroshki, 10, who lived in a shelter with her family when she first came to Canada from Nigeria, a few years ago and relied on food banks and community members donating meals. 

"It makes me happy because when I moved to Canada other people provided meals for my family," she said. "It feels really nice to help others because I was once in their situation."

The program has also allowed her to make new friends like Daniella Adeleke, also 10, with whom she has lots of fun cooking new dishes and learning important life skills with, Aduroshki said. 

"It makes me really happy to know other people get the stuff that I get and they don't have to be hungry," said Adeleke, noting her favourite meal to cook so far has been chicken stir fry.

"I really like cooking and I normally don't do it a lot at home. It's important to know how to cook especially when you're young so if your parents are out of the house, you know what to make for yourself."

The program seeks to teach kids how to be independent and confident in the kitchen, but what makes the culinary experience extra special for them is having a face to the people they're serving, said Smit. 

"It's really cool to see them when they're actually preparing the food. It changes the intentionality when they're creating it to know it's going to be serving and helping other people," she said.

"We were able to show them a picture of a long lineup at Crouch of the people they are serving, so that was a cool moment for them to see the people who are actually receiving their food."

The students said they look forward to using their new found talents in the kitchen to feed themselves and make a positive difference in their communities.  

Make the Season Kind with CBC London

CBC London's Make the Season Kind campaign is in support of the London Food Bank. The goal is to raise money, food donations and awareness for those facing food insecurity in London. This year, the need is greater than ever.

London Morning and Afternoon Drive will be broadcasting LIVE on Friday, Dec. 6, from the London Food Bank warehouse at 926 Leathorne Street. Listeners can come meet the team, see a live radio broadcast in action, and get to know the kindness-makers in our community.

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