The Full Story
About
Our Giving Kitchen San Diego is a community run, non-denominational kitchen that prepares meals for distribution to those in need throughout San Diego.
Mission
We Believe...
...Everyone is entitled to a nutritious, tasty, and high-quality meal made with compassion.
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...Food has the power to bring people together within and across communities, nourish those in need, and hold a purpose for those who seek to make a positive impact.
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... Individuals have the desire to address food insecurity and are deserving of valuable volunteer opportunities.
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...Kind deeds not only enrich the individual who performs them but also have a multiplying effect on improving the world.
What We Do
OGKSD unites volunteers to cook and package meals for those facing hardship. These meals are then provided to social service organizations for distribution.
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Operating from a kosher industrial kitchen, OGKSD prioritizes the dignity of all participants by producing meals of high quality and fostering a joyful environment for volunteers.
How We Do It
We believe in empowering volunteers to make a difference and inspiring them to keep doing good beyond our kitchen.
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Good food is a basic right, and we are dedicated to preparing restaurant-quality meals using only Kosher ingredients, all under a seasoned chef's guidance.
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Our goal is to make our volunteers feel valued and proud of their impact. Our kitchen is inviting, and we aim to create a joyful atmosphere for everyone who enters.
Our Story
Starts with a family in need.
Our Big Kitchen is a beacon of compassion and generosity which we learned first hand when we visited "Our Big Kitchen" (OBK) Sydney, Australia in February of 2005. The organization was founded by Rabbi Dr. Dovid Slavin and Laya Slavin initially inspired when they noticed
their community coming together to help an extremely ill friend.
They saw a need and rose to the challenge, creating a place where volunteers could
come together to cook meals for families facing food insecurity.


We have always felt the importance of serving restaurant quality food to the homeless and needy, and we aspired to mirror the success of OBK. An organization that was built into a bustling hub of activity; where thousands of volunteers have come together to cook and distribute meals to others all while building community connections and new friendships.
Today, Our Big Kitchen is much more than just a kitchen. It's a community of people who believe in making a difference and who want to bring joy, comfort, and nourishment to those who need it most. It's a place where volunteers find a sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing they are making a positive impact in the world. It's a testament to the power of the human spirit.
Here in San Diego it is now time to create the same, serving as many in need in our own neighborhoods as possible while building volunteerism, friendship, and passion for serving others. We are proud to be Our Giving Kitchen San Diego.
Our People
At OGKSD we believe that food has the power to bring people together, breaking down barriers and uniting us as one community. That's why we're so grateful to have a diverse group of supporters – from generous sponsors to the hard-working staff and volunteers to dedicated community members and an independent Board of Directors – all working together to make OGKSD a reality.
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Comprised of experts from the business world, legal profession, and community organizations, our Board serves as a cornerstone of our organization, providing guidance and oversight to ensure that OGKSD continues to make a meaningful impact on those in need. With their expertise and commitment, we can ensure that OGKSD remains a thriving, effective, community-based organization for years to come.