What We Do

Serving Spoons is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that prepares and delivers healthy meals to families in need.  Established in 2009, Serving Spoons works to ensure that all  families have access to nutritious meals. Each meal includes an entrée, vegetable, starch, dessert, and breakfast item. Occasionally extra seasonal items are added (ie festive napkins, homemade juices or drinks, etc.)

Additionally, Serving Spoons works to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with all participants in the program. As part of the delivery process, upwards of 30 minutes is spent sitting down with each member of the recipient families, with a goal to foster ongoing relationships. As an organization we strive to create an environment where all recipients feel supported and valued. Our main goal is to maintain personal relationships with the families, and ensure they feel loved and worthy in the program.

How We Do It

Once a month, high schoolers volunteers from across San Diego County come together to take part in the cooking process. At the cooking location volunteers have the opportunity to pick which dish they want to cook, and package. Volunteers must follow a recipe, and adjust measurements as necessary, they also can be apart of the delivery process if wanted.

One of Serving Spoons’ newest goals is to educate these high school volunteers, on how to handle themselves in the kitchen. We aspire for the volunteers to accumulate ongoing confidence and gain skills, each and every time Serving Spoons meets. If a recipe features advanced skills, together as a group we come together to assist and try to help our fellow volunteers. We try to create a space where every voice is heard, and memories are made. Every member of Serving Spoons adds a needed perspective and enhances our overall organization.

Serving Spoons’ most recent ambition is to educate both volunteers and meal recipients on the importance of nutritional health. Serving Spoons now includes print-outs of the recipes prepared in each meal for the families. This way, if a family really enjoyed a dish, they are able to continue making it again. In addition, volunteers always have access to the recipes of the food that is prepared.

Why We Do It

1 in 8 Americans experienced food insecurity in 2020, according to Feeding America. The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active healthy life. Although food insecurity is a complex issue that disproportionately affects marginalized communities. Serving Spoons aims to combat this issue by investing in our communities by providing nutritious meals. However some of our recipients are more in need of consistent connection, and as team members we establish relationships, acknowledge the importance of conversation, and understand how human connection leads to a happy fulfilling life. As members of our community we see the injustices, and are learning and educating ourselves on how to actively help, and lead by example to provide a small relief for those negatively impacted by; food insecurity, food deserts, and lack of steady connection.

What You Can Do

As a nonprofit organization, we rely heavily on donations as a means of fundraising, in order to provide for our recipient families. If you are interested in contributing to the nonprofit, please visit the “Donate” tab located at the top of our website.

If you know of someone who might benefit from the program, or would like to become a recipient, please email Serving Spoons President Spring Simpson-Adams at ssimpsonadams@gmail.com to be in touch.

Finally, to stay updated with Serving Spoons, please support us by following us on social media, by clicking the tabs at the bottom left of the page.