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Dear Friends of SOS,
My name is Whitney Reuling, and I have the privilege of serving as the Executive Director of Sonoma Family Meal (SFM). I’m writing to introduce myself and our organization, and to share a little about what we hope will be the next chapter at Unity Kitchen.
First, let me say how deeply we respect the work that SOS has done over the years. The team’s unwavering commitment to serving the most vulnerable members of Sonoma Valley has created a foundation of trust and compassion that’s rare and incredibly meaningful.
SFM was founded during the 2017 Tubbs Fire as an emergency effort to feed displaced families and first responders. Over time, we grew into a year-round organization that provides meals to those experiencing food insecurity, offers tuition-free culinary job training to people facing barriers to employment, and operates social enterprises to provide employment opportunities for our students while creating sustainable funding for our programs. Our programs rely on a combination of charitable support, government contracts and revenue generated by our social enterprise endeavors.
At the heart of our work is a commitment to ensuring everyone has a place at the table, whether that means access to a warm meal, a second chance at employment, or simply a space to feel seen and supported. In this respect, we have much in common with SOS. We share values and our missions are well-aligned.
For the past few months, we have been in conversation with SOS about how best to preserve the meal service at Unity Kitchen while also considering new ways to advance the stability of those in need. Our priority would be to ensure the continuity of meal service and we would also want to understand what’s working well, where there might be opportunities for improvement, and how the Unity Kitchen can continue to serve as a trusted, welcoming space. We would want to explore opportunities for future programming, such as job training, food business support, or community events. Our approach would be one of humility, thoughtfulness, and deep gratitude.
We hope to have the chance to be welcomed into this space and to meet all the amazing people associated with the Unity Kitchen – the volunteers, the staff, the community advocates, the neighbors and the organizational partners – all those who have helped make Unity Kitchen what it is today. Thank you for your continued care and commitment to a stronger, more connected Sonoma Valley.
With appreciation,
Whitney Reuling
Executive Director, Sonoma Family Meal
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