The Power of Benevolence

In these times of both bad and scary news, we all seek out “feel good” stories to give us hope for the human race. There is nothing that makes us cheer more readily or happily than when we come across a story showing the power of benevolence and how local groups can still make a difference for their friends and neighbors. So get ready to cheer happily…

The Giving Kitchen was founded a few years ago in Atlanta, Georgia with the express purpose of offering aid and support to workers in the local restaurant community. Specifically, their focus is to directly aid anyone afflicted with a medical problem, from accidents to life threatening illnesses. To date, they have helped hundreds of people with grants in excess of $500,000, often becoming the difference between these workers losing everything they have worked for due to medical problems. 

The Giving Kitchen helps by paying rent, covering additional medical expenses, and even travel costs for family members to come and assist in their recovery. It is funded in part through the local restaurant industry, who have held numerous also proud to be part of this positive and important effort. In addition, Staplehouse, a local and popular Atlanta eatery, donates 100% of its profits into The Giving Kitchen. 

This mission initially grew from the hearts of Ryan and Jen Hidinger, a local couple that had been part of the Atlanta restaurant community for years. In late 2012, Ryan was discovered to be in a late stage of cancer. Facing treatments, health costs, and emotional trials, the community came together and raised funds to help them in Ryan’s final months of life. In return, Ryan and Jen gave birth to The Giving Kitchen which has shown tremendous growth and enthusiasm since its inception. 

This is perhaps one of the best tales of how the generous and unselfish act of benevolence can empower friends, colleagues, and even strangers to step up and offer a helping hand to another human being in need.

An Extraordinary Support System

Susan Rachele has worked in the restaurant industry for most of her adult life, and is currently a general manager at a leading restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia. While the restaurant and food service industry is known for being close knit, what has happened in Georgia over the past few years is nothing short of phenomenal.

Susan Rachele recently had the honor and pleasure of working with The Giving Kitchen, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting people working in the restaurant industry in Atlanta in times of need or crisis. It was founded and started after a spur-of-the-moment response to the needs of Ryan and Jen Hidinger, a couple that are well-known in the Atlanta area for their contributions and creativity to the culinary world. Recently, Ryan was diagnosed with fourth stage cancer, without any previous clue as to any possible problems.

As might be expected, this changed their world dramatically, forcing them to focus on their immediate medical needs. Much to their astonishment and great appreciation, word quickly spread throughout the Atlanta restaurant neighborhood and there was an immediate and generous outpouring of support that helped Ryan through his final months, including raising significant funds to cover medical costs in excess of his insurance coverage.

The Hidingers were so moved by this response that, in dedication and thanks to the friends who helped them in an important time of need, they formed The Giving Kitchen as a resource for others who might find themselves in need of medical care without the ability to cover living costs, travel expenses, and funeral charges. Since its opening, they have been able to respond to the needs of other workers within the Atlanta restaurant world who have suffered an illness or accident which has left them financially challenged and unstable.

Their efforts to sustain and support their own community continues to expand to include helping those who have lost their jobs due to business closures or other events beyond their control. Susan Rachele recently had the opportunity to help over a 1,000 displaced restaurant workers to find new positions after the sudden and unannounced closure of a string of restaurants, as well as offering foods and meals in the interim.

The Giving Kitchen serves as an excellent standard of behavior that is always inspiring to see amongst colleagues and friends. As might be expected, the needs never end, so if you wish to be of assistance, offering either time, resources, or money, please contact The Giving Kitchen to learn more.