Happy New Year from Cooking Matters!

We hope you all had an opportunity to enjoy the holiday with friends and family and get energized and excited for the new year!

While most programs are winding down at the end of the year, Emily, Toni and I have been busy planning and brainstorming new and creative ways to carry out the Cooking Matters program here in Seattle.  I am very proud to announce that thanks to all the hard work and support of our team and you, our abundant volunteer force, we have been fortunate to receive funding to expand our program throughout the state.  As we are a small, but dedicated team, Emily, Toni and I would love your continued support and help as we move to accomplish several goals we have established to help bring this program to more communities here in Washington.

This year our goal is to offer 63 Cooking Matters classes, serving 625 participants with an 80% graduation rate.  Additionally, we will be recruiting and training 5 new locations to essentially carry out the Cooking Matters program independently and self-sufficiently in the areas of highest need in our state.

It’s ambitious, but necessary and we won’t be able to do it without you!  In the next coming months you may hear of some additional volunteer opportunities that you can sign up for to help us accomplish the work we do on a daily basis here in Seattle to make this program happen.  We recognize many of you come with exceptional experience and skills and we want to make great use of that in our work in accomplishing our goals.  We hope you’ll join us and be part of realizing these goals so more adults, children and families get the skills and food they need to stay healthy.

Stay tuned for more details on new volunteer trainings, one-time volunteer opportunities while you’re “in the cue” to get signed up for a class, a volunteer appreciation party and more.  You are part of an amazing program, unlike no other in Seattle.  You should be proud of your dedication.  Our participants and our team here at Solid Ground truly appreciate you and your generosity.

Here’s to a new year, new ideas, new wonderful memories and experiences!

-Raquel DeHoyos
Cooking Matters Program Supervisor