The Jacques Pépin Foundation announced Orlando nonprofit Pathlight HOME as one of their Winter 2022 Grant Awardees, awarded at the end of December. One of ten recipients this round, Pathlight HOME will use the grant to support the nonprofit’s culinary training program: a free eight-week program for low-income Central Florida adults. In addition to the $10,000 grant, Pathlight HOME will also receive JPF branded aprons for their students and a group membership to the Foundation.
Founded in 2016, the Jacques Pépin Foundation became a grant-making organization in 2019. In the last four years the Foundation has given over $1,000,000 to over 50 different non-profit, community-based, culinary arts training programs that offer life skills and culinary training to individuals with barriers to employment. The JPF mission and vision are rooted firmly in the belief that culinary skills training leads to increased self-confidence, better health, and employment and career opportunities.
“The JPF’s mission of supporting programs that create opportunities through culinary training is realized in part by giving grants to these important, impressive, local organizations,” says Rollie Wesen, Executive Director of the JPF. “Pathlight HOME’s culinary training program, now in its eighth year, has created a positive, impressive impact on their community. Their students learn skills needed for employment in the culinary industry and gain real-world experience at their Sobik’s Subs location. We’re proud to support their efforts.”
“Pathlight HOME believes providing our culinary students with key training skills and industry exposure will prepare them for their career in the culinary arts,” said Babette Allen, CEO of Pathlight HOME. “We are incredibly proud of our graduates and thankful for this award.”
In addition to Pathlight HOME, Winter 2022 JPF Grants were awarded to HopeWorks Social Enterprises (Everett, WA), Episcopal Community Services of SF (San Francisco), YWCA Evanson/North Shore (Evanston, IL), Food Jobs Work (North Little Rock, AK), Common Table (Louisville), Paul’s Place, Inc. Groundwork Kitchen (Baltimore, MD), Hot Bread Kitchen (New York City), Community Servings (Jamaica Plain, MA), and Project Renewal (New York City).
Community-based culinary arts training programs are invited to apply to the Jacques Pépin Foundation Grant Program for Community-Based Culinary Arts Training Programs throughout the year and are awarded twice: one in summer and one in winter. Applications for the 2023 Grant Program are now open.
