A Place at the Table: How Our Giving Kitchen Nourishes Purpose, Connection, and Communit
By: Rabbi Chezky Rosenfeld
Co-founder and Director for Our Giving Kitchen
When Rob (a pseudonym) moved to Pittsburgh at age 79 to be closer to
his children and grandchildren, he hoped for a meaningful new chapter. But the move left him without his usual routine, friends, and social connections.
Then he heard about Our Giving Kitchen (OGK), a nonprofit where community members come together to prepare healthy meals for those in need. He showed up to volunteer, and he kept coming back. Within weeks, Rob had a spot at the table, a role to play, and people waiting to greet him each time he walked through the door.
OGK is more than a kitchen. It is a place of purpose. For older adults like Rob, it offers the benefits of movement, connection, and contribution. Research consistently shows that staying socially and physically active improves mental and physical health, especially in later years. But you don’t need a study to see what it means when someone finds belonging again.
At the same time, O
GK is serving another critical need. A local organization serving individuals experiencing homelessness recently reached out for support with meals after changes to its kitchen operations. We partnered with them to provide freshly prepared meals for their residents. Healthy, homemade food that supports dignity, well-being, and stability.
These two stories capture what OGK does every day. We bring people together around food; volunteers from every background, recipients from across the city, and partners who help us reach farther. In the last year alone, 1,000+ volunteers at OGK have prepared and distributed over 20,000 meals. Every session is a blend of community building and hands-on impact.
The support we received from the Allegheny County Medical Society Foundation has helped us expand our programming, especially for older adults. With this grant, we’ve been able to launch dedicated volunteer sessions that offer social engagement, physical activity, and the chance to make a difference. Older adults don’t just benefit, they lead, contribute, and bring warmth to the kitchen.
We believe food is medicine. So is connection.
That’s where physicians come in. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, OGK offers volunteer sessions for individuals of all ages, families, and groups. If you know older adults who could benefit from a purposeful routine and social community, send them our way. If you work with individuals who need meals, we can help there too.
Visit www.ogkpgh.com to learn more or get involved.
We’re grateful to ACMS for helping fuel this work, and we welcome your partnership in strengthening our community, one meal, one person at a time.