Cookin' for a Cause

This past Saturday was a very special radio show for me.  We were able to open our hearts  (instead of just our bellies)  and listen to several ways that foodies can help change the world.  It was a busy show, lots of people to talk to,  but worth every minute of overtime.  If your heart likes to volunteer ... then this was the show for you.
Although I had several different amazing people in the studio - all with inspirational stories to share . . . one gentleman in particular really stole the show!  That man's name is Royce.  Royce was the typical broken homeless man that you would see on the streets of downtown Atlanta.  Sadly, many people would walk by him with only negative thoughts of disgust and ignorance.  Little did you know .... God had greater things in store for this particular homeless man! 
Royce eventually went to a shelter for shelter.   The shelter he went to was the ATLANTA UNION MISSION  down by the Ga. Dome.  It was there, in the middle of a nightmare,  that Royce found his Foodie calling.
Through the grace of God and an eager heart ... Royce was rescued, rehabilitated, and reborn.  - Royce is now Executive Chef of Atlanta Union Mission and feeds nearly 8000 other homeless people a week!!  

Incredible.  I think the best part about this truly inspirational story is  how humble he is.  He's pure.  He's sincere.  He's faithful and full of love.  He has a servant's heart.   - It was an HONOR to meet him.
Check this out.   Bless his heart,  Royce was SO nervous to come onto Live radio.  So nervous that he actually wrote down his thoughts and answers onto a piece of paper so that he wouldn't stumble or forget anything when asked.  Moreso,  the other wonderful people that came onto the show actually took Royce aside and prayed for him out in the hallway right before coming on air.   It nearly brought tears to my eyes!
With that said,  I think he did an amazing job talking to me on the radio about his past,  his present, and ofcourse -- his eternal future.

(Royce is in the black shirt,  CEO Jim Reese in yellow)

Go meet Royce, this extraordinary talented foodie man,  anytime you want to by volunteering in the kitchen at ATLANTA UNION MISSION in downtown.  Just email me and I will even meet you there!
Also, just a quick thank you to Worthy Works who came to promote the HUNGER WALK 2010 with Robert Kukler of Fifth Group Restaurants.    The Hunger Walk starts at Turner Field and is in less than 2 weeks from now.  So hurry up and go get all your info!  - Also,  I was honored to showcase something different called  CITY OF REFUGE with it's incredible program, 180 Degree Kitchen.  Troubled young adults are taken off the street and away from crime  in order to enroll for free at this Culinary School!  On Tuesdays and Thursdays the students practice what they've learned that week in gourmet training and they cook for the homeless.  It is a program that is ridiculously amazing!  (pls scroll down and read my blog entry entitled 180 Degrees for more details).

If you would like to go with me and volunteer at either of these places ... please just email me directly and let me know.  I would love to meet you!  And is there any other better way to meet??    Join me in volunteering!!!  Cuz we're cookin' for a cause!

 .........................................  (person #1)  "WHY AREN'T YOU PRAYING FOR GOD TO HELP THE HOMELESS, TO HELP THOSE SUFFERING FROM THESE NATURAL DISASTERS, TO HELP HEAL THE SICK,  TO CARE FOR  NEEDY CHILDREN, TO ATLEAST OFFER COMFORT AND LOVE TO THE LOST,  - WHY AREN'T YOU ASKING GOD TO HELP THESE POOR PEOPLE?????"

(person #2)   ". . . BECAUSE I'M AFRAID HE'D ASK ME THE SAME THING."



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