Making a difference
When we all work together, we can all go further! It takes a lot of hands to make big things happen and we do thank you for making a financial donation to Reality Kitchen Nonprofit, today !
( Lucy Bug / a Whiteaker Community mural project / July 2011)
One-Time Donation
To Donate via Check, please send contribution to:
PO Box 733, Eugene, OR 97440
Recurring Donation
Please read this message from Lynn Egli, our Board Chair/President
Dear Friend of Reality Kitchen,
I am writing to you as a parent of a young man who experiences a high functioning form of autism.
My son, Jesse, works as a specialty baker at Reality Kitchen. While some things are a challenge for him, other things like baking come naturally for Jesse. He primarily bakes deserts like scones, lemon bars, and, my favorite, peanut butter pie. Jesse loves going to work at Reality Kitchen where he is surrounded by loving, supportive professionals who have mentored him in a safe space where he can follow his passion while building his confidence in himself and learning valuable skills that he will carry with him throughout his life.
They are pivoting to a complete and innovative redesign of their Employment Pathway Program that works perfectly in the pandemic environment we find ourselves in these days. Catherine is leading the development of a totally new curriculum and unique approach to skills building that has value both now and in the long run. The team is also developing a Community Supported Baking subscription box program that is a perfect fit for families who enjoy fresh baked goods and prepared meals following safe practices during the pandemic.
We deeply appreciate you and all our community partners. We wouldn’t be able to go on without your support. If you can, please make a donation to help us get through this challenging period.
I’m grateful for your consideration!
Lynn Egli
Reality Kitchen Board Chair
Reality Kitchen’s Mission is:
“To offer employment path experiences designed to nourish and enrich all learners, with and without disabilities, to thrive personally and professionally with supports and resources in a community integrated setting.”
This health event has forced us to close our training program, wholesale bakery production and retail cafe’. This is coupled with an urgent need for emergency food that now exists in Lane County, Oregon. With your help we can reopen service to the community to provide meals to un-housed residents who are sheltered in area facilities, as well as feed and supply our neighbors with baked goods.
Your generous support means we can continue to change the perceptions of the greater community about the employment options available to these individuals by offering a truly integrated workplace where all individuals participate in the operations and production here at our bakery.
Together, with your support now, we can respond to this crisis safely to help our local homeless and shut-in neighbors. We will partner with other nonprofits that already help those who struggle with food insecurity and local agencies and organizations, as well as local food service businesses to produce bread and meals, to act as a hub of care and hope. Returning all our staff, with and without disabilities, to work and resuming our Employment Path Program will inspire, engage and serve the community when it needs it the most.
Because the long-term impact of this event is up to us to recreate and adapt to, we are committed to modeling our alternative approach to educating and preparing these individuals to successfully realize their goals for employment and personal independence in their lives. Gaining vital self confidence, socialization and self-management skills, as well as valuable, transferable skills, is at the heart of our mission and our reason for being in operation.
