Building Life Skills

The Cornerstone Community Kitchen program teaches living skills related to food such as shopping, budgeting, cooking and menu planning. In this program small groups of participants meet weekly and practice the skills required to plan and prepare meals. Topics covered include the Canada Food Guide, budget friendly meals, menu planning, using items from the food bank, and safe handling and storage of food. The hands-on approach and ability to practice skills each week allows individuals in the kitchen program time to build confidence in their own abilities and understanding of food, which in turn leads to more knowledge and skills being used outside of the program. Another important component of the Community Kitchen program is socialization. All too often individuals who have recently experienced homelessness move into single dwellings where they may be isolated or lack suitable space or facilities to share meals with others. Coming together to prepare and enjoy a meal with a group of people gives a shared sense of accomplishment and builds a sense of community. The skills taught in this program can also help people find work in the food industry. 

• Job training and education upgrades: While working in the community kitchen, individuals develop employable skills in cooking and food handling. Individuals are able to obtain employment in food services as a result of the skills developed in the Community Kitchen Program.
• Hygiene: In the community kitchen, individuals begin to learn about hygiene, safe food handling and overall cleanliness and sanitation.
• Budgeting and shopping: The community kitchen program assists individuals with learning how to shop on a very limited budget and still eat well, how to make the most of bargains, meal planning and other helpful tips. Through this individuals also learn about basic budgeting skills.