The St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, in partnership with Parkview Regional Medical Center & Affiliates’ Community Health Improvement Fund, is now taking grant applications for the 2025 Our HEALing Kitchen program.

The Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) nutrition and cooking classes offer vulnerable residents with fun and engaging classes about how to prepare and enjoy healthy and affordable meals. Since 2016, more than 3,250 local residents have participated in the classes that are offered by area churches and non-profit organizations.

Using Our HEALing Kitchen curriculum, developed by Parkview dietitians, organizations host a series of 6 to 8 cooking and nutrition classes for 8 to 12 participants. Organizations designate a program facilitator who receives training and coaching, as well as the materials needed to teach a successful series of classes.

Grants range from $750 to $1,500 and are available for churches, nonprofits, and other organizations that serve vulnerable or low-income residents. Grants cover the costs of food, necessary cooking utensils and equipment, cooking manuals, and a final class celebration and incentives.

One participant who took the HEALing Kitchen classes with her son through Jennifer’s Harbor stated, “I really enjoyed watching my son learn how to cook alongside me. He loved cutting fruits and vegetables each week with his kid-safe knife provided by Jennifer’s Harbor. By the final week, he wanted to try using a real knife, and with guidance, he succeeded. He was so proud of his accomplishment and asked me to take a picture so he could show others. This program not only taught us healthy cooking but also brought us closer as a family. We both looked forward to our time in the kitchen together each week.”

Another participant who took Our HEALing Kitchen classes at Bridge of Grace stated, “I really enjoyed learning new recipes and finding out different ways to cook vegetables and new ways to create different desserts with fresh fruits.”

Applications will be accepted March 1 through April 9, 2025, for summer classes. More information may be found online at sjchf.org or by contacting Jackie Martinez at JMartinez@sjchf.org or Meg Distler at MDistler@sjchf.org. Applications must be submitted online through the grants portal by clicking on the “grants” menu item at sjchf.org.