At the heart of every home is the kitchen.
We believe education, access to food and resources, and a supportive community is the best way to make a difference. The mission of the HEART Kitchen is to provide healthy food and educational opportunities through a variety of monthly programs and events; such as free community meals, cooking/nutrition classes, and community events. As with all our initiatives at Ann's Heart, programs will be developed through our community partnerships, such as those with Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS), Trellis for Tomorrow, Delaware Valley VEG, and others. Now more than ever, spaces like the HEART Kitchen are needed to support the community.
Every person deserves a seat at the table.
At the HEART Kitchen, we work to ensure that we can pull up a seat for anyone who makes their way through our doors.
Meal Programs
At Ann’s Heart, our Pay It Forward Café (PIFC) embodies the spirit of dignity and community by providing free, high-quality meals to anyone in need—no questions asked. Through this unique model, no one knows who is donating or who is receiving a meal, ensuring a welcoming and judgment-free space for all. Every month the HEART Kitchen prepares and distributes fresh, nutritious meals, serving between 300 and 500 individuals per meal.
This initiative is powered by the generosity and dedication of our volunteers, who come together to fight food insecurity and build connections through service. PIFC is more than just a meal—it’s a testament to the power of kindness, strengthening our community one plate at a time.
At Ann’s Heart, we believe that no child should go hungry—especially during the summer months when school meals are unavailable. Our Summer Meal Program (SMP) ensures that students and their families who qualify for free or subsidized lunches during the school year continue to have access to nutritious food. In partnership with the Phoenixville Area School District (PASD) and Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS), the HEART Kitchen provides grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches five days a week, along with three family dinners per week, for the full 12 weeks of summer break.
This vital program is made possible through the generosity of individual donors, grants, and fundraisers held throughout the year. Meals are freshly prepared by our dedicated staff and volunteers, while PACS provides snacks and packaged goods to supplement family needs. Together, we’re working to combat food insecurity and ensure that every child in our community has the nourishment they need to thrive.
The CERAH Meals Program at the HEART Kitchen ensures that guests of the Center for Emergency Resources at Ann’s Heart (CERAH) receive healthy, fresh meals during their stay. Providing nutritious dinners, breakfasts, and snacks, this program helps meet guests’ basic needs while offering comfort and care in a time of crisis. Each meal is thoughtfully prepared with a focus on heart-healthy ingredients, ensuring that those experiencing homelessness or hardship have access to nourishing food in a welcoming environment. Through this essential program, we strive to provide not just sustenance, but a sense of dignity and home.
Project with a purpose.
The former cafeteria space of the Sacred Heart Elementary School has been re-imagined into a community teaching kitchen. With upgrades that include dual convection ovens, a commercial dishwasher, a walk-in refrigerator, upgraded prep and teaching space in an open kitchen setting, new ceilings, LED lighting, and upgraded HVAC, the space lends itself not only to educational programming, but as a commercially licensed kitchen providing supportive community meals.
This amazing repurpose project would not have been possible without the incredible support of our donors and the generosity of our kitchen sponsors -
Kimberton Whole Foods.
Going a Little Bit Greener
One of the goals of the HEART and the HEART Kitchen is to be as eco-friendly as possible. To this end, we have committed to using as many compostable or recyclable items as possible in our kitchen and for distribution.
The HEART Kitchen also composts all its compostable waste thanks to our community partners -
We Run on Volunteer Energy
With a small staff, Ann's Heart relies on the energy and talents of more than 500 active volunteers. Since opening its doors in 2020, the HEART Kitchen has been supported by incredible community members and groups that show up every day to cook, clean, package, deliver and ensure that we can provide healthy and substantial meals to the community across multiple programs.
