First Slice: Nurture Your Soul While Nourishing Your Body

What does it mean to give the first slice of the pie to those who are used to living on crusts?

Dignity.  Hope.  Nourishment.
 

Fight hunger with your fork through First Slice, a self-sustaining not-for-profit that is working towards long-term solutions for the problems of poverty and homelessness.  First Slice's objectives are to provide high-quality meals to Chicago's hungry, foster relationships between those living in poverty with more fortunate individuals, and connect the needy with community-based organizations.

Three-star chef and former Lettuce Entertain You artisan Mary Ellen Diaz created First Slice.  Here is her creative four-pronged approach to combat hunger in Chicago:

Feed Your Community- First Slice operates outreach programs through local organizations and provides meals at community centers and via the Soul Food Pantry Bus, a new mobile meals program.  Volunteer to serve meals or prepare food by contacting First Slice at: info@firstslice.org

 
Pie Cafe: The First Slice Pie Cafe, operating out of Lillstreet Arts Center in Ravenswood, serves sumptuous pies, sandwiches, soups, and salads.  Profits are donated directly to the First Slice organization, strengthening the non-profit's vision of self-sustainability.

 
Socially Conscious Catering:  The Pie Cafe offers professional catering, delivering delectable dishes and decadent sweets (with a side of good deed!) to your next office party or private event.

 
To-Your-Table Subscriber Program:  3 gourmet meals with 3 courses for 3 people each week.  No-fuss, no-prep, chef-prepared meals to share at home.  Profits go to feeding the homeless and hungry the same well-balanced, nourishing food (think: Italian Braised Beef, Goat Cheese Stuffed Peppers, Coconut Pie) that subscribers receive.  One family subscription feeds 20 hungry people a month.

Have any thoughts on the matter?  Know of other organizations like this one?  Please share by leaving a comment!