Maria C., a Kitchen Lead in New York, has dedicated the past three to five years to the food service industry, working in a school cafeteria. For Maria, cooking is more than a profession—it’s a love language she’s used to care for her family and now her community. Providing free lunches to students has been her biggest motivation, allowing her to fuse her passion for fast-paced work with the desire to support children.
Earlier this year, Maria experienced an unexpected and life-altering crisis. On February 5th, she was diagnosed with stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer. Within a week of her diagnosis, she began her first of sixteen rounds of chemotherapy. As a single mother and the sole provider for her household, this health emergency upended her life. Her oncologist advised her to leave her role due to the impact chemotherapy would have on her immune system, forcing her to take six months off work for treatment and recovery.
With rent and utilities already a challenge to manage while employed, losing her steady income had her facing the risk of eviction and financial instability. Thankfully, Maria’s social worker introduced her to Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit organization supporting food service workers during crises. After hearing about their mission, Maria decided to seek assistance, describing the application process as “very simple and stress-free.”
Giving Kitchen awarded Maria financial assistance to cover two months of her rent, offering her both stability and relief during this difficult time. The support allowed Maria to focus on her ongoing recovery without the added burden of losing her home.
While the journey has been challenging, her tumor has already shrunk by 20% in just a month of treatment. She remains hopeful and determined to overcome this obstacle.
For Maria, the impact of Giving Kitchen goes beyond financial assistance—it’s about the compassion she received throughout the process. She shared, “You aren’t just submitting an application; you actually get a person to speak to so that this process moves along.”
Maria encourages other hospitality workers facing crises to reach out to Giving Kitchen without hesitation: “Just do it. They are here to help. All of those in hospitality give so much—it’s okay to also need help!”
Giving Kitchen has given Maria security during one of the most difficult moments in her life, reminding her that she is not alone in this fight. Through their financial assistance and resources, the organization continues to empower food service workers like Maria to navigate their challenges with dignity and hope.
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