If you’re a bit of a foodie and like helping others, Gathering Industries could be a great way to combine your two passions. The non-profit works with Atlanta Mission and other Christian shelters to identify individuals who are interested in a vocational second chance as a restaurant kitchen worker (chef or otherwise).

 

Through teaching culinary as well as management and general life skills, Gathering Industries equips program participants to become self-sufficient and prepares them for a culinary career. (Gathering Industries doesn’t focus on skills or jobs for the front of the restaurant.) To be considered for the program, individuals must be clean, meaning they have successfully completed a drug or alcohol transitional program. If they were incarcerated, they must have gone through a prison-release program. In some cases, these men or women already have some kitchen experience but many do not. Past food industry experience is not a prerequisite.

 

In addition to teaching knife and other kitchen skills, how does Gathering Industries ensure these folks are ready for a busy culinary job? By putting those new-found skills to work and employing program participants to work in its catering business.

 

Gathering Industries caters boxed lunches and food platters for businesses and events. Clients have included Eversheds Sutherland law firm, Whitehead & Associates, and Phoenix Excess Risk Underwriters. The minimum order is 10 boxes and the charity has served groups well into the hundreds.

 

Using only fresh ingredients, menu items range from a New Orleans Muffuletta to a fire-kissed steak sandwich and include salads and sides. Gluten-free or vegan options are no problem. Dessert is a variety of cookies that include plenty of butter, a trick executive director and chef Alex Reethoff says he learned from his French mother.

 

Alex founded Gathering Industries after years of working in kitchens and the hospitality industry software business. He considered opening a restaurant to provide participants with real kitchen experience but found the catering business better suited to the program. Alex notes he frequently receives calls from restaurants looking for program participants who are ready to launch.

 

To add to its offerings and expand on the skills it can provide those seeking a second chance, Gathering Industries has created a bottled salad dressing. You can purchase the White Balsamic Vinaigrette at the Gathering Industries website (https://gatheringindustries.org/salad-dressing/) and look for it to soon be available at select stores.

 

 LET’S HIGHLIGHT THE INFO BELOW IN A SEPARATE BOX WITHIN THE MAIN COPY OF THIS CHARITY FEATURE

 

Non-profit: Gathering Industries

 

Mission: Transforming lives through teaching culinary skills and preparing participants for cooking jobs in the restaurant industry.

 

Contact: https://gatheringindustries.org/

How You Can Help: Donate or volunteer (see website); order boxed lunches or catering platters for your next event (https://gatheringindustries.org/order-now/); purchase Gathering Industries’ White Balsamic Vinaigrette salad dressing at https://gatheringindustries.org/salad-dressing/.