Our *first ever* Kitchen Manager!
Please join us in officially welcoming Kathryn LaCombe as our newest staff.
Kathryn has volunteered with us since 2018 in so many extraordinary ways. When we first posted in a Hudson Valley Homeschool board the need for volunteers to help process “so many” tomatoes, Kathryn and her family stepped up to the call… and have been making a difference ever since. As volunteers, Kathryn and her family have picked up food from grocery stores, helped distribute meals on our first Saturday partnership with Hope On A Mission, and Kathryn’s favorite, cooking in the Second Chance Foods Kitchen! We’re so grateful for all the work Kathryn and her family have contributed to help feed our community and honored she’s joined our small but dedicated team. You may remember our previous spotlight on Kathryn from 2020 – read more about her experience volunteering with her family here!
Kathryn is most excited to work with the volunteers because of her history with us!
"We rely on each hour they (volunteers) give us to prepare healthy, nutritious meals for our recipients. I have already learned so much from their suggestions and experiences!" -Kathryn
In fact, as a volunteer, Kathryn often thought to herself, “what more can I do” to support Second Chance Foods’ mission of connecting healthy food to hungry people, and now we’re happy to say as the Kitchen Manager, she will! We’re already impressed with how quickly Kathryn has jumped into this role and made it her own. She handles each part of meal creation with thoughtfulness and cares for the product and the people we serve. Kathryn has already started improving processes, and the volunteers have loved working with her and having her lead the team.
“I am but one person, but I have the opportunity to work alongside others and together we make a difference. We give our time and use our skills to create a nutritious and delicious meal to help out a neighbor. That is what it’s all about… helping where help is needed." - Kathryn
A Transformative Step for Second Chance Foods
When you deal with hunger and perishable foods, those immediate needs come first. Having a dedicated Kitchen Manager (especially one as organized as Kathryn) means we can increase efficiency in processing foods creating meals, but it also allows for organizational growth. Before Kathryn, our Executive Director Martha managed the kitchen on top of everything else. Now, she can focus on developing more innovative solutions, strengthening partnerships, and addressing the root issues of hunger in the Hudson Valley (don’t worry, she’ll still spend plenty of time in the kitchen). We know this will only mean more healthy and delicious food gets connected to the people who need it most.
More About Kathryn
Kathryn is passionate about the lifesaving potential of food justice. “Food is a fundamental need, and we have the opportunity to feed to hungry using rescued resources. This intersection of rescue and resources is lifesaving for our neighbors and our planet.” She comes to us from a career in education and has always loved to cook and try new recipes at home. When Kathryn was a volunteer, she often made Second Chance Foods dishes at home and now looks forward to adding new home recipes to the Second Chance Foods catalog for recipients to enjoy!
Our lifesaving potential is why I am passionate about Second Chance Foods.
Food is a fundamental need, and we have the opportunity to feed the hungry using rescued resources. This intersection of rescue and resources is lifesaving for our neighbors and planet.
Because Second Chance Foods is part of a generous network of organizations and individuals who gather to help and support neighbors in need, I get to use my skills to support the mission.
Professionally, I taught composition and literature at a university and community college and moved into an academic administrator role. Then, I built upon those experiences when homeschooling my son.
When homeschooling, we had the opportunity to craft our moments; this is what led us to Second Chance Foods. What began as a service activity for our family has become a passion for each of us.
A favorite? I love them all. My dad was born during the Depression and lived in the rural South. Vegetables were plentiful when he was young. He always grew a robust garden when I was young, even when we lived in neighborhoods. His tomatoes were my favorite – a sun-warmed garden fresh tomato sprinkled with some salt!
Homeschooling, historical fiction, travel, or Louisiana cuisine (and of course, volunteering with Second Chance Foods!)
From All of Us at Second Chance Foods, Welcome to the team, Kathryn!
Are You Also New to Second Chance Foods? Take a look at our About Us page for bios on our board leadership and staff.