Kelly's Kitchen

06/08/2026

Join Commit to Connect on June 23–24 for the 2026 National Summit to Increase Social Connections! We are so excited to be participating in the FINAL PANEL SESSION OF THE DAY for the the first day of this fantastic National Summit focused on nutrition. We will get to share information and impact of our Nourishment Beyond the Plate program!

This free, virtual event will dive into how nutrition and physical activity programs foster social connection. We encourage you to register to join and participate! Come see our session!

Registration required.

Registration Link: https://bit.ly/4uOhj9u

Image Description: Commit to Connect. 2026 National Summit to Increase Social Connections. National Summit to Increase Social Connections.

06/05/2026

Big news from Kelly's Kitchen!

We are honored to share that Kelly's Kitchen has been invited to present our Nourishment Beyond the Plate program as a featured speaker during the Administration for Community Living's (ACL) and Commit to Connect's 2026 National Summit to Increase Social Connections.

Rachel Kaplan, Operations Director at Kelly's Kitchen, will join national leaders on June 23, 2026, for the Day 1 Nutrition Track: "Empowering Older Adults through Cooking and Nutrition Education." The session will highlight how nutrition education and interactive cooking programs can build skills, confidence, community, and meaningful social connections for older adults and people with disabilities.

The Commit to Connect National Summit is one of the nation's leading events focused on addressing social isolation and loneliness, typically attracting approximately 3,500 registrants and more than 1,000 live attendees from across the aging, disability, healthcare, and community sectors.

We're also excited to announce that Nourishment Beyond the Plate is now featured in the Commit to Connect Innovations Hub, a national resource showcasing promising programs that strengthen social connection and improve well-being for older adults and people with disabilities.

Nourishment Beyond the Plate combines accessible cooking instruction, adaptive kitchen tools, nutrition education, and community engagement to help participants build confidence, independence, and social connections through the shared experience of food.

We are incredibly grateful to our participants, partners, funders, and supporters who have helped make this recognition possible.

Learn more about Nourishment Beyond the Plate:
https://www.kellys-kitchen.org/nourishment-beyond-the-plate

Explore our Innovations Hub listing:
https://committoconnect.org/innovations-hub/



Image Description: Screenshot of Kelly's Kitchen's Nourishment Beyond the Plate program featured in the Commit to Connect Innovations Hub, highlighting the program's focus on accessible cooking education, nutrition, and social connection for older adults and people with disabilities.

06/05/2026

Cool opportunity with AAPD!

Join the movement to bring transformative experiences and mentorship to disabled young people and students by becoming a 2026 Disability Mentoring Day Coordinator!

As a Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) Coordinator, you'll create opportunities for disabled students and young professionals in your community to discover potential career paths and receive the encouragement and mentorship they deserve. By hosting a DMD event in your community, you'll help young disabled people build vital, lasting connections with their mentors.

If you want to launch an event in your community, AAPD will provide resources and support to make it successful. Ready to facilitate powerful disability mentorship? Start by joining one of our two orientation calls this summer, either on July 16 or August 20, 4-5 PM ET. Register at this link, or email [email protected] to learn more: https://forms.gle/kKorYyaDZgJfrzMc9

ID: White text on a purple-to-blue gradient background that says "Be a coordinator for Disability Mentoring Day"

06/05/2026

Did you know…

On June 4, 1946, the National School Lunch Program was born. 80 years later, we’ve still got work to do, but we celebrate the generations of kids this program has fed. Shoutout to our friends over at School Nutrition Association for a legacy of serving excellence!🎉

06/05/2026

Accessible Community Food Resources Panel Discussion

Hosted by Kelly’s Kitchen and Elevance Health
📅 July 16, 2026
🕒 3:00–4:00 PM Eastern Time
Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VrpEktt5Tj-VJJdWU6CZGA

Join Kelly’s Kitchen and Elevance Health for an engaging panel discussion exploring how communities can build and strengthen accessible food resources for people with disabilities, older adults, and others who may face barriers to food access. This conversation will highlight innovative programs, community partnerships, and practical strategies that are helping create more equitable and inclusive food systems.

Panelists will share lessons learned from their personal experience with disability, work in food security, disability inclusion, community outreach, and resource navigation. Participants will gain insights into how organizations can improve accessibility, reduce barriers to participation, and connect community members with the supports they need to thrive.

Topics may include:

Accessible food pantries, meal programs, and community food initiatives
Disability-inclusive approaches to food security and nutrition
Discussion regarding transportation, delivery, and other access barriers
Community partnerships that strengthen local food systems

Whether you are a service provider, community organization, advocate, caregiver, policymaker, or community member interested in food justice and accessibility, this discussion will provide valuable information, practical ideas, and opportunities to connect with others working toward more inclusive communities.

Image Description: Promotional graphic with a light green background. Large black text reads: “Accessible Community Food Resources Panel Discussion.” The graphic features several photos of people preparing meals, receiving groceries, volunteering, and participating in food-related activities, including multiple images of wheelchair users engaging in cooking and food access programs. The Kelly’s Kitchen and Elevance Health logos appear in the lower left corner.

06/03/2026

We are excited to be partnering with Sustaining Way to provide an accessible cooking class for youth participating in this summer steward fellows program!

We have some spots still left! Steward Fellows is a paid summer internship for rising 9-12 graders.

Visit https://sustainingway.org/form/steward-fellows-2026/ to submit an application ASAP!

06/03/2026

Published June 1, 2026 Annually, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issues a report on the characteristics of households and individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The most recent report released in May provides details about fiscal year 2024 progra...

05/30/2026

Food Research & Action Center

SNAP limits are increasing in more states — check your state’s latest changes and take action to defend essential food support: https://frac.org/snap-restrictions

05/30/2026