Pechanga, Temecula Creek Inn Chefs Serve Community Food Pantry

TEMECULA, CA — Pechanga and Temecula Creek Inn chefs are always busy in the kitchen, but in August seven of them went above above and beyond by volunteering their time at Community Mission of Hope food pantry in Temecula.

Collectively, the chefs spent more than one full day — 24 hours — volunteering at the pantry. They were called upon to sort produce and other food donations, before giving the items to people in need.

As millions of Americans told the Census Bureau recently they did not have enough to eat, the chefs said they felt the need to pitch in because it’s simply the right thing to do.

“I think this has been going on so long that you can get a little numb to it,” said Matt Steffen, executive chef at Temecula Creek Inn & Cork Fire Kitchen, which is not currently open. “So coming down and helping out and seeing this, it energizes you to say, ‘hey this isn’t over, people still need the help so let’s get out here and help them as much as we can.’”

“I’m doing our small part to make this world a better place, so I’m very happy to be doing this,” said Pechanga chef Marlene Moore. “It’s especially important knowing that the company I work for gives back to the community especially with everything that’s going on now, it’s just so special, and just a privilege.”

In addition to the sorting work they did, the chefs used their expertise to help other volunteers spot what produce could be saved and what should go to compost.

“We sort everything and build these boxes and drop them in people’s cars. They have a little bit of all the staples you’d need in your pantry — some dairy, some bread, vegetables, some meat, things like that so a little bit of everything,” said Steffen.

The chefs are continuing their volunteer hours at the food bank, and chef Steffen has pledged to make a chef’s lunch for their small army of volunteers.

Pechanga recently provided grants to three local Southwest Riverside County food pantries totaling $20,000. The funds will help support the pantries as they work to meet the urgent needs of local families. The beneficiaries include the Community Food Pantry of Murrieta, the HOPE Food Pantry, and the Community Mission of Hope.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.