I have been a volunteer driver for the Organic Soup Kitchen since the pandemic started in March 2020. Although I live 30 miles away, and have many choices where to volunteer, I do not think there is any organization more worthy of my time and energy. I now have developed an extraordinary relationship with the people to whom I deliver.The route that used to take me about an hour and a half, now takes at least 2 1/2 due to my uplifting conversations with my clients, sharing stories and enjoying each other like old friends. Weekly, they tell me how the delicious, nutritious soup has transformed their health. It’s an honor to be associated with an organization making such a huge difference in the world. When they answer their door to me and their eyes light up and I get a huge hug, there’s nowhere in the world I would rather donate my time. There has not been one instance that anyone has said that the soup has not been absolutely delicious and so varied week to week. We read the labels together, astounded by the amount of organic vegetables and spices put into the soups. it’s obviously a labor of love.
My experience with the incredible Organic Soup Kitchen has been A+. i have volunteered several times and each experience was nothing but wonderful. The staff are so pleasant, so kind and helpful but most of all, they *really* care about the importance of feeding our veterans, the elderly and the community at large GOOD, nutritious, absolutely mouth watering delicious food. I love to work with them. I love the soup. The Garbonzo Bean Red Pepper Patties are one of my favorites, but I love ALL the yummy soups. I love the people who make up OSK. They are for sure a Santa Barbara treasure. I wish every non-profit was like OSK. They make this world a much better place.
Been following the Organic Soup Kitchen for years. Creating fresh, nutritious food for people who need a helping hand, and recognizing that dignity comes in many forms-with the Organic Soup Kitchen, it was cooking healthy meals with great ingredients, showing all the people they serve that deserved the best too.
This is a marvelous organization that helps the Santa Barbara community and beyond. Aside from feeding the homeless and hungry, they have helped several friends of mine who were incapacitated for a period of time and could not shop for food. Their soups are luscious and healthy and they have delivered to those seriously ill folks who will benefit from the high quality of their food. They deserve our support.
This charity was formed by wonderful people with a unique idea who have dedicated their lives to giving back in a major way! They have the biggest hearts for helping others get fulfilled in mind, body and spirit.
From humble beginnings OSK has grown to be the finest example of true community hospitality. Anthony. Andrea. Tony and the other dedicated workers and volunteers have taken the simple idea of relationship and fellowship developing over healthy meals and made it a reality. There is no other food provider that has such soul. Thank you OSK!
They are just a great organization to work with. They use The Veterans Memorial Building a couple times a year for BIG events and they run them awesomely. On Wednesdays they cook and feed Veterans, here at the building, for FREE. They all love the yummy food Tony cooks up for them. All in all I have a ton of respect for such a great organization.
Organic Soup Kitchen (OSK) is an absolutely amazing not for profit organization in Santa Barbara. My practice has been community partners with them for a couple of years, holding fund raisers and volunteering during the holiday season. The passion and dedication is to local, organic, high-quality food is inspiring!Thank you, OSK, for your loving service to the under served of Santa Barbara! - Dr. Elizabeth Wisniewski
Organic Soup Kitchen far exceeds all of our expectations. For of the love of food, people, our community and the planet. Kindness, generosity, a welcoming presence and awesome food totally rock every time!
Organic Soup Kitchen provides healthy food for so many populations in our community. What I love most about their mission is that they create community around food. They encourage people to volunteer and create spaces and opportunities to connect with volunteers but also the people we serve. Many of the volunteers are friends and deeply connected with the people that are served. It is this desire to connect in community around healthy food while serving that is most empowering. This is not about volunteers doing good, this is about building connections through people of all walks of life through healthy food. It is a noble mission.
I fell in love with Organic Soup Kitchen about 4 years ago. I originally met them thru the amazing Thanksgiving Dinner they provide every year for anyone in our community who has no where else to go. Not only do they provide a beautiful homemade traditional Thanksgiving dinner but they serve the meal to every individual by hand and provided gifts and entertainment and really connected to each and every person. Their mission to provide healing organic soups and meals the rest of the year to anyone who struggled to feed themselves really touched me. As I got to know them and get involved I really realized everything they do comes from a place of pure compassion for the needy in our area.
I'm very proud to support them in every way I can. I give them a monthly donation as well as volunteer hours supporting whatever project we have to work on. Its the very least I can do to help them help so many people who need and desire genuine compassion and a healthy meal.
This is an amazing non-profit that really makes a difference in the community! As a volunteer I saw the appreciation of everyone that benefitted from their free meals/camaraderie during the holidays. Not only did the recipients benefit but so did the volunteers. It brings back the true meaning of the holidays and bridges the gap between the fortunate and the less fortunate. I was blessed to be a part and help out with all the good work this valuable non-profit is doing. The community would not be the same without them.
Andrea has been providing her delicious organic soup to my mother who is elderly and has difficulty leaving the house. Andrea and her volunteers deliver soup to my mom's house each week -- and sometimes they bring beautiful produce or flowers that are surplus from the Farmer's Market. The soups are delicious and made with love and care, nourishing the spirit as well as the body. Thank you, Andrea and team for all you are doing to foster the health and security of our most vulnerable citizens.
Organic, tasty and healthy for everyone. It is an honor to be a part of the OSK Team helping the community. May we continue to be successful and bring healing to those in need.
I've been a volunteer for Organic Soup Kitchen for many years. I can tell you from the front line, this organization is fabulous !! I'm really proud of Anthony & Andrea for all they do and mostly "how they do it". Humble folks doing great work for the community -AND- the food is better then restaurants!!!
Anthony & Andrea put their heart & soul into this business as well as all the food that the make. So many benefit from their hard work. They are a real asset to the community. Nell Foster
The only the thing better than soup served by the Organic Soup Kitchen, is the love they serve it with. Tony, Andrea, and Anthony, are wonderful to work with. They go beyond providing nourishment for the body. They provide smiles and warmth to those serve as well! I highly recommend interacting with OSK whenever possible.
Keith
Santa Barbara
This is an excellent organization. Virtually every form of support, volunteer, in-kind exchange and donation, is used immediately to fill an immediate need. Feeding Veterans in particular & homeless in general are primary customers. Virtually no one is turned back. Organic Soup Kitchen, OSK, serves people across all of our economic and social strata. The only qualification is answering the question, would you like to eat, with Yes.
Growing up my dad was often out of work and we were hungry. We picked field greens and stir-fried them. People would come by with food, it was deeply appreciated.
When my daughter was growing up we supported Salvation Army Kitchen. When we shopped for our holiday meals we picked up a duplicate of each item, same brand and quality. The second helping was for those who would not be fed otherwise. We bagged the items splitting the duplicates between those in need and our home. I felt that doing beats lecturing. She continues to be a volunteer in each community she lives in.
