TEEN KITCHEN PROJECT ANNUAL REPORT
July 1, 2024 / June 30, 2025
Letter from our Founder and CEO
Dear Friends,
I am absolutely thrilled to share Teen Kitchen Project’s Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report with you — the incredible community of supporters who make our work possible. Because of you, Teen Kitchen Project (TKP) continues to build healthier, more connected communities by engaging teens and providing nourishing meals to individuals living with serious illnesses.
FY25 marked our 13th year of service-and what a year it was! Together, we reached new heights of impact and connection. Our amazing Delivery Angels drove more than 23,000 miles to bring comfort and care directly to clients’ doors, delivering an astounding 203,119 meals a new agency record! Every mile driven and every meal delivered represents a reminder to someone facing illness that they are not alone.
Our youth program also flourished. 175 teen chefs from more than 35 schools across Santa Cruz County stepped into our kitchens this year, contributing 8,815 hours of service. These young leaders learned to cook nutritious food from scratch while giving back in meaningful ways. Even more inspiring? 85% of participating teens report that they now cook more meals from scratch at home building lifelong skills that strengthen both their health and their families.
At the same time, the need for our mission has never been more urgent. Continued threats to healthcare access, rising food and fuel costs, and growing demand for medically tailored meals mean more neighbors are counting on us. We are rising to meet that moment.
To expand our impact and increase efficiency, Teen Kitchen Project is building a new production kitchen a transformational step forward. This new space will allow us to triple meal production, grow our youth development program, and expand revenue-generating activities that support long-term sustainability. It’s not just a kitchen; it’s the foundation for the next chapter of service and growth.
Thanks to our generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and passionate staff, TKP continues to be a model of youth-powered community care and healing. Your belief in this work fuels every meal, every lesson, and every connection we create.
With deep gratitude and excitement for what’s ahead,
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
“The true strength of TKP lies not only in the meals we deliver but also in the community that creates them. As we plan for 2026 and beyond, we are prioritizing the stability and resourcefulness needed to thrive in uncertain times. We are so excited to continue this journey with our incredible staff, volunteers, and donors—your support is the bedrock of our shared future.”
Dena Loijos Edwards Board President
CLIENT VOICES
“TKP has been an anchor for me. Not only are the meals good for me, getting a delivery every week has been good for my mental health. Talking to the drivers and office staff is great and I look forward to my deliveries weekly.”
2025 by the numbers 1,098 CLIENTS SERVED
203,119 MEALS DELIVERED
175 TEEN CHEFS
23,210 MILES DRIVEN BY DELIVERY ANGELS
Empowering Youth
8,815 hours of service
35 schools represented 87% report cooking more at home
Client Impact
80% of clients reported an increase in food security as a result of TKP’s meal delivery services.
85% of clients reported that TKP’s meals helped them feel better physically
88% of clients reported TKP’s meals helped them manage their health 75% of clients reported feeling less alone and connected with TKP staff and volunteers
About TKP Clients
Community Power!
Together, teen and adult volunteers contribute hours of labor valued at $581,863 16,725
469 individuals made more than
780 donations
30 foundations, church groups and clubs and
50 businesses provided direct financial support
$65,000
View our Fiscal Year 2025 Audited Financials Here
We received in-kind donations valued at more than including produce from and protein from Grocery Outlet Santa Cruz continues to support our program through generous grocery donations.
Teen Kitchen Project has a 20-year lease to bring all of its Operations, Teen Chefs, Volunteer Delivery Angels, and Staff together under one roof. We are building a production kitchen (also used as a teaching kitchen for classes and camps) plus workspaces for volunteers and staff. When complete, it will total 4,200 square feet, enabling TKP to triple the medically tailored meals delivered and give hundreds more teens work experience and leadership opportunities.
Learn more here: teenkitchenproject.org/ kitchen-campaign/
Stay Tuned!
More news is coming soon about our exciting new kitchen expansion to meet the growing needs in our community. Please visit:
Teen Kitchen Project’s Recipe for Growth
Our Board of Directors:
Amanda Rotella, Co-president
Dena Loijos Edwards, Co-president
Wendy Jacoby, Treasurer
Lisa Krigsman, Secretary
Brenda Avila
Tim Carl
Len Finocchio
Lisa McCamey
Kathleen McCarthy
TEEN VOICES
“TKP has made me understand how important it is to eat nutritious foods to keep our body healthy. After my mother received her meals about 3 years ago she changed her eating and has been free of her diabetes since. Getting to now work in the kitchen has been a great learning experience for clean eating and I will keep that knowledge with me.”
Learn more and get involved at
