JANUARY 2023

Greetings Tony,

"Bare branches of each tree

on this chilly January morn

look so cold so forlorn.

Gray skies dip ever so low

left from yesterday's dusting of snow.

Yet in the heart of each tree

waiting for each who wait to see

new life as warm sun and breeze will blow,

like magic, unlock springs sap to flow,

buds, new leaves, then blooms will grow."



~ Nelda Hartmann, January Morn

Greetings and Happy New Year to our volunteers!

2022 was a year filled with meaningful events and plenty to celebrate. Being Kitchen Angels' 30 year Anniversary, we took time to recognize the volunteers and donors who made, and continue to make, our nonprofit outstanding. We kicked off the year with a video contest and screening of the film Julia at the Violet Crown. Folks loved our quarterly cooking classes with local chefs. Our summer volunteer appreciation party at ReUnity Resources has become a favorite way to enjoy the summer and each other. We were pleased through and through with the evening at the Santa Fe Opera with Emmy Lou Harris. Last, but certainly not least, our volunteers were able to gather for an appreciation event at La Fonda in November.

Some impressive statistics from 2022:

• 551 volunteers donated 33,909 hours of service - eight percent more volunteers and seven percent more hours than 2021;
• We served a total of 518 clients with a daily average of 187 receiving meals; and
• We delivered 144,028 meals, a five percent increase over 2021.

Covid changed our lives back in 2020, and Kitchen Angels has continued to serve more clients with fewer volunteers. We were able to handle the challenges due largely to our extensive group of substitute volunteers who fill in when folks get sick or when other things come up. Not a single volunteer picked up Covid while at Kitchen Angels, which really is something of which to be proud.

We look forward with hope and inspiration to 2023. May we all enjoy good health, feelings of belonging in our community, and gratitude for abundance of our lives.

“You are truly Kitchen Angels. I can’t believe how much you help my mom and how much she looks forward to someone coming by. She has celiac and it was divine intervention that we ended up finding you all. Thank you for your selflessness.“ ~Kristina M-G, daughter of client.

“I don’t have anyone to send me gifts anymore. My best friend died three weeks ago and she was the last. I was thrilled to get the gifts last week—it was the perfect something that I needed. I am opening one a day. Great thanks to each of you who are responsible. You’ve made an old lady very happy! You feed me healthy food everyday and then send these gifts! I an so thankful to be cared for by people who don’t even know me. Being an old, sick lady is no fun. But, you have made me a Happy Camper." ~Donna

“Thank You! The salmon dinner last night was excellent. If you have any more frozen, please send them on. Oh, my goodness. Thank you for being there for us. If you weren’t, we’d be lost.” ~Jean W.

“To all the wonderful staff and volunteers - thank you so much for all you do. You bring joy and comfort as well as great nutritious food!!! Thank you so much for my beautiful and useful Christmas gifts! So appreciated and special. Thank you!”   ~Kate N.

As we welcome in a new year, it's always fun to predict what the coming days hold for us. Whole Foods does this annually with their Top Ten Food Trends. The mega food chain is in a prime position to identify food trends that are on the rise. For 2023 they tell us to look for more kelp and date products, as well as food items that have been sustainably raised or produced. They also suggest avocado oil will be the next big thing. While we think that's still "very 2022", we hope more people can get on the avocado oil train because of its many health benefits.

Although New Year's Day has come and gone, we think you should keep cooking those black-eyed peas throughout the year! Here's a great selection of 10 easy recipes with black-eyed peas as the main attraction.

We know a lot of folks look to the new year with an eye toward making resolutions - especially those regarding eating healthier and losing weight. Here's an extensive list of 100 Healthy, Low Calorie Dinners to Make in the New Year.

For those of you who shop on Amazon, don't forget to sign up for Amazon Smile and select Kitchen Angels as your charity of choice. It's as easy as googling "Amazon Smile" and then following the prompts. Or you can click here. Every time you shop using Amazon Smile, they donate .5% of eligible purchases to Kitchen Angels. It really does add up over the year.

If you prefer the convenience of shopping from your phone, the process is a bit more complicated to STAY enrolled. Click here to learn the process. Amazon automatically dis-enrolls you from Amazon Smile, so you have to go back into your settings and re-enroll twice a year.

Thank you all for continuing to support Kitchen Angels while shopping from the comfort of your couch . . . or tub!

Thank you Southwest Care for sponsoring our New Year’s Eve client meal! It was a wonderful meal that included roast beef, rice pilaf, maple carrots, green salad with dried fruit and delicious chocolate cake for dessert. Thank you for your support and we look forward to our future partnerships.

Many thanks to all of the kitchen and delivery volunteers who stepped forward to work multiple shifts during the holidays. Chef Joe had the shifts well organized so we could prepare the holiday food ahead of time. Thanks to Karen for jumping in and leading two late shifts. Elsie, Juli & Pat were our hard-working volunteers who helped Karen prepare an entire day's worth of meals in three hours flat. Well done team!

Our Thursday and Friday delivery prep teams were outstanding in the very challenging task of holiday food packing. It takes a lot of coordination and teamwork to send out that much food. You guys rocked!

Thank you delivery drivers for distributing all of the holiday goodies to our clients. You took out gift boxes AND poinsettias. The clients were overjoyed by the cheerful gifts. Thanks for putting in the extra effort to make the holidays bright for our homebound clients.

A shout-out to our KITCHENALITY volunteers who worked the busy holiday season. The displays looked fabulous and the store brought in a record amount of revenue. We really appreciate your dedication!

Here's to another year of serving our community with love, kindness, and hope.