About 970 Jefferson

Giving Kitchen is excited to announce our new office space at the 970 Building! Atlanta nonprofits Westside Future Fund (WFF) and Food Well Alliance (FWA) have completed the first phase of a newly renovated facility located on the Westside BeltLine Connector at 970 Jefferson Street NW, the former headquarters of the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB). Westside Future Fund and Food Well Alliance partnered to acquire the building in January 2020 with the goal of preserving the historic property to create a multi-use community and education center serving Atlanta’s Westside.

In addition to Giving Kitchen, tenants include Community Farmers Markets Inc, Georgia Peach Truck, Second Helpings, and Urban Recipe.

“It’s no coincidence that this community center and hub for local food organizations is located at 970 Jefferson Street, longtime home of the Food Bank,” said Bill Bolling, FWA chair and ACFB founder. “The Food Bank could have sold this building and built condos, but we were committed to continue using the space as a community asset for Westside neighbors. We are carrying on the tradition of collaboration that originated with the Food Bank, using food as a tool to bring people together.”

With the ease of COVID restrictions, a “soft opening” at the 970 Building began in summer 2021. Staff members of the various organizations are gradually making their way into their new office spaces, and most expect to be fully in place by mid-August. The organizations will continue to follow guidelines set by the CDC to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Giving Kitchen staff will operate with a hybrid work-from-home model, giving staff members the flexibility to work remotely.  An opening event for the community and supporters - also planned for August - will be hosted by WFF, FWA, and the tenant organizations.

“We are so excited for the collaboration that can take place just by being in this space with such amazing organizations every day,” said Kate Conner, FWA executive director. “The expertise and connections that we all bring to the table will extend our ability to collaborate beyond these walls. I envision us sharing our collective knowledge and assets to build awareness, educate and serve our communities in a powerful way.”

As Giving Kitchen continues to expand its services, this larger space will beautifully accommodate our needs and growth. We’ve effectively quadrupled our space, doubled our workstations, and lowered our rent - that is a win-win-win! And thanks to a generous gift from an anonymous donor, the costs of moving, technology changes, and furniture have all been covered. Stay tuned for more information about the new GK office and a sneak peek at the gorgeous new space. We can’t wait to have you in soon!

Mural of Gratitude

If my work has meaning, then my life has meaning.

—Muhammad Yungai

When the Giving Kitchen team first toured the 970 Jefferson office space with Food Well Alliance’s Bill Bolling, everyone agreed that the beautiful space needed just one more thing: a breathtaking mural. 

Local artist Muhammad Yungai lent his talent to paint a mural that showcases who we are, what we do, and — most importantly — who we serve.

At the heart of the mural is Chef Ryan Hidinger, Giving Kitchen co-founder and constant inspiration, literally serving up love on a plate. He is flanked by three Giving Kitchen clients — Gisela, Lexi, and Billy — who represent over 8,000 food service workers Giving Kitchen has served since inception in 2013.

Yungai spent weeks working on the project with his wife and partner, Khadijah Pegues-Yungai. Says Yungai, "As an artist, I feel happily obliged to tell the stories of the unheard and amplify community narratives. I paint to bring about positive change in the lives of my viewers."

The mural graces the wall of Giving Kitchen’s Call Center, where Case Managers connect food service workers with Stability Network referrals and GK financial assistance.

GK Executive Director Bryan Schroeder says, "We wanted something on the wall that is reflective of our community and will inspire our case managers. Their jobs can be really rewarding, but also very emotionally taxing. Now they can look up and see the faces of who we're all working for."

Not only do they see bright, lively colors and smiling faces, they can read Ryan Hidinger's words of inspiration, which have become something of a mantra for the organization: "Anything long lasting or worthwhile takes time and complete surrender."

Below that, a Spanish phrase that reads as a joyful cheer: "Viva nuestra comunidad! Viva GK!" ("Long live our community! Long Live GK!") Says Bilingual Case Manager Katie Deleon, “This phrase is short and sweet, and it celebrates food service workers and all those who support them.”  

Says Yungai, "To paint someone like Chef Ryan Hidinger is an attempt to capture empathy and compassion in physical form.  As human beings, we are not our bodies, we are what we do with them.  If my artwork can bring about any amount of the happiness, inspiration, or motivation as the subjects I am painting, then I have done my job as an artist. If my work has meaning, then my life has meaning."

You can see more of Muhammad Yungai's work on Instagram, @artofyungai.

At the time of publication, the Giving Kitchen office is accepting limited visitors due to the ongoing pandemic. We look forward to opening our office and sharing this beautiful work of art with our community in the future.