Dining with Dignity

Food is the ultimate human right, without which we cannot expect individuals to learn, work, raise a family, or be a productive member of society. Changing the way food is served, the Kansas City Community Kitchen moved to a restaurant service model in February 2016, and plans to move to menu service in the fall of 2016.

In launching the new Dining with Dignity service model at the Kansas City Community Kitchen, Episcopal Community Services (ECS) works to:
- Empower guests with choice in the food they eat
- Provide access to nutritious, enjoyable food
- Break down walls through increased volunteer engagement
- Build intentional community as a means to help move people out of poverty and into programs

The thinking behind the revamped kitchen is to create an atmosphere identical to that of a restaurant. Instead of waiting in line outside in the cold or heat, men and women are greeted at the door by a host. They are seated at a table and waited on like customers, despite the fact that no eater pays a penny. Working as these hosts and waiters, volunteers interact with guests, helping to break down stigma and build meaningful relationships that transcend socio-economic and cultural barriers.

Nutrition also plays an integral role on the menu. Beyond ensuring that people have the nutrition they need, ECS is working on techniques to foster the skill and ability to know how to strike a balance between meeting their basic nutritional needs and enjoying their favorite food choices.

Back in the kitchen, student chefs from ECS' Culinary Cornerstones Training Program prepare each day's meals, a win-win for all parties involved. The benefits work two ways: to provide meals for those in need and to create career opportunities for individuals in culinary services.

As guests become more comfortable, building relationships with staff, volunteers and other guests, they begin to request suggestions for other services. Through these strong relationships, ECS refers individuals to appropriate sources, serving as a comprehensive social network.

As a leader in Kansas City's emergency food network, ECS is committed to providing access to healthy food for the community's food-insecure households. Its mission is to engage the Episcopal and broader communities in feeding the hungry and empowering the poor to move beyond the barriers of poverty with dignity - in short, feeding the hungry & changing lives. ECS is best known for the Kansas City Community Kitchen (KCCK) in the heart of the urban food desert. ECS also works to provide meaningful training experience through the Culinary Cornerstones Training Program, a 30-week immersive program preparing individuals for careers in the culinary world.

Since implementing the new service model, there has been a 10% average increase in the number of daily meals served at the Kansas City Community Kitchen. There has also been a large increase of volunteers, with an increasing number of recurring volunteers.

Since implementing the new service model, there has been a 10% average increase in the number of daily meals served at the Kansas City Community Kitchen. Guests and volunteers have commented on the changed atmosphere, leaving notes about how much they enjoy their experience. Guests have come to call it Club 750, and have taken to texting others in the community when the daily menu is exceptionally good. Through this changed service model, there has also been a large increase of volunteers, with an increasing number of recurring volunteers.

Recently featured in The Kansas City Star, Upworthy, The Huffington Post, ABC News, Global Citizen, and a viral video seen over 40 million times on NowThis Media, the "Dining with Dignity" model has started conversation around the world, with individuals from 34 US states and 9 countries learning about the service model through webinars, presentations, and phone calls. It is also working with partners throughout the Greater Kansas City area to plant five like-modeled community kitchens in KCK, Olathe, Midtown, Hickman Mills, and Shawnee Mission.