“I’ve always believed that if people are able, they should give back to one another. You can’t just wait for other groups to step in; you have to actively help those in need.”
When asked why he dedicated a week volunteering to feed Hurricane Helene survivors and first responders in Western North Carolina, Chef Matthew Koonts—an American Culinary Federation (ACF) Triad Chapter member—speaks with passion.
“If people and groups are willing to send food to areas in need, the least I can do is use some of my skills and time,” Chef Koonts stated.
Chef Koonts put his skills and time to good use weeks ago when the ACF Triad Chapter partnered with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina and their Providence program to cook and transport thousands of ready-to-heat meals to NC’s Helene-ravaged regions. This effort was part of Second Harvest’s broader storm relief initiatives.
During the weeklong project, Chef Koonts and ACF Triad Chapter President Chef Keith Gardiner prepared various daily hot meals in the Providence kitchen at Second Harvest’s Winston-Salem headquarters. “We made large portions of chicken pan pie, barbeque, mashed potatoes, pasta dishes, salads, and more,” Chef Koonts said. “We produced around a thousand meals a day, lunch and dinner combined.”
Providence’s state-of-the-art equipment, such as the kitchen’s 100-gallon kettle, was instrumental in cooking large quantities of hot food, including chili, sun-dried tomato sauce, and pot roast. The chefs also utilized Providence’s 40-gallon tilt- skillet to cook 400 turkey patties.
Second Harvest workers packaged and transported the food 90 miles to feed emergency workers and residents at the Family Central commercial kitchen in Ashe County. Chefs Koonts and Gardiner visited the kitchen to assist with further food preparation and distribution. Some meals reheated at the Ashe County kitchen were distributed to other Western NC feeding centers.
“We believe strongly in Second Harvest’s statement that ‘every person deserves to eat,’” Chef Gardiner said. “People were very appreciative of getting a hot meal…Most of those we served had not had a hot meal in the weeks since Helene hit.”
Chef Gardiner, who recently retired from the Culinary Technology Department at Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC), has partnered with Second Harvest for more than 25 years. “My involvement with Second Harvest dates back to when Providence was just a dream. Seeing it grow to what it is now is amazing.”
Chef Gardiner’s relationship with Second Harvest has linked the food bank to other culinary artists, such as Chef Koonts, throughout the Piedmont region through ACF Triad. Chef Koonts, who also volunteers in a church kitchen in Greensboro, remarked, “What the ACF does is give back to the community. Every day is a blessing, and you try to use those blessings to help others.”
Beyond its association with ACF, Second Harvest has initiated other meal preparation efforts post-Helene. For weeks, the food bank produced and packed shelf-stable meal boxes for families in need. As of early December 204, 100,000 of these meals have been distributed. Shelf-stable meal boxes continue to be prepared and thousands of pounds of fresh foods are also directed to impacted areas. Along with Ashe County, the Avery County Airfield has a kitchen and mess hall equipped with ovens, refrigerators, tables, and chairs sourced by Second Harvest. Other supplies, including chainsaws, log splitters, and propane, have also been sent to Western NC.
Nicole Caudill, Second Harvest’s Director of Community Meals, stated that the food bank’s Helene-related efforts are occurring alongside its regular operations. “We typically prepare 9,000 meals per week. Outside Helene-hit regions, we serve meals to seniors in five counties and have an after-school meal program. Plus, we are gearing up for the busy holiday season.”
While Second Harvest continues to work diligently to meet the needs of food-insecure North Carolinians, support from volunteers like Chefs Koonts and Gardiner has significantly enhanced the food bank’s capacity to maintain regular programs and respond to storm-related needs. Major recovery efforts are anticipated to continue for the foreseeable future, especially as the weather gets colder, so the need for additional volunteers remains urgent.
“While you may not notice as many visible signs of devastation in some areas anymore, you still see the devastation on people’s faces,” Chef Koonts remarked. “I think the people of Western NC need to know they have not been forgotten.”
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