COMMUNITY
The Giving Kitchen
Giving Kitchen is an Atlanta-based nonprofit focused on the population of food service workers, helping them in times of crisis with both direct aid and resource referrals. In 2012, Chef Ryan Hidinger, in Atlanta, was diagnosed with stage four cancer. The local restaurant community rallied around Ryan and his wife, raising support to cover their expenses while he underwent treatment. That fundraiser response became the seed for“ Giving Kitchen.”
What emerged from a personal need in the restaurant community has grown over the last decade into a multi-state support network and is recognized for its effectiveness and integrity. Their mission is to provide emergency assistance to those who work in restaurants, cafes, bars, food trucks, cafeterias, catering and related fields when they face an unexpected crisis. They also operate a“ Stability Network,” through which they connect workers to other resources( like housing / utility help, mental health, employment help, etc.) As of 2023, Giving Kitchen helped nearly 13,000 food service workers
by paying housing, utilities and other immediate bills.
MARILYN KAPAUN Partner at Bovis, Kyle, Burch, & Medlin, LLC mbk @ boviskyle. com
20 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2025