An Ingredient to Healing

Rose Brooks Center’s ability to serve hot and nutritious meals is a vital component of the agency’s overall services. We are grateful for the many volunteers, community partners, local businesses, and foundations for supporting this element of care.

Many survivors arrive at Rose Brooks Center tired, hungry, and scared, having recently left their homes and everything familiar. Before they can begin to heal and fully concentrate, their basic needs must be met, including a warm meal.

Nutrition is an essential ingredient in helping survivors and their children heal from the trauma they have experienced. The stress of the abuse supersedes a survivors’ ability to care for oneself, which is further compounded because food is often withheld by abusers as a means to control their partners. All of this is understood and considered by our Rose Brooks Center chefs as they prepare and serve each and every healing meal.

Quotes from families living in emergency shelter about the food and nutrition program:

“I loved helping in the kitchen. I seen it as a way to give back and help the other ladies in the shelter.”

And perhaps one of our favorite quotes is from a child who was living in shelter. “I like the food and everyone is nice.” We think this pretty much sums it up.

We thank those who support our nutrition program:

• Volunteers! We simply would not be able to do this work and serve those we do through our nutrition program without the generosity and kindness of those in the volunteer community.
• The Costco Foundation. In their words, “Costco is proud to be able to support organizations and programs whose missions focus on children, education, and health and human services.”
• The McGee Foundation and the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund have been consistent funders of the Nutrition Program over the past several years, and we thank them for their continued care and support.