(Newswire.net — May 15, 2014) —
A recent announcement by Chef Scott Tucker of Louisville, Kentucky details his plans to open a community meal center, where Tucker will volunteer his time after his upcoming retirement at the end of this year. According to Scott Tucker, he needs to raise at least $500,000 in order to procure a facility and beginning outfitting a proper commercial kitchen.
“Undoubtedly, opening this meal center is going to be a ton of work,” says Scott Tucker. “But after decades of working in the for-profit world, I’m excited to put everything I have into this new project.”
A definite location for the new meal center has yet to decided. Tucker is currently weighing options in South End and downtown Louisville. While the center’s location will ultimately depend on where proper facilities are available, a primary goal for the project is also to reach homeless and under-employed communities where the impact will be greatest.
According to Scott Tucker, establishing the new community meal center has the dual purpose of serving the community and giving Tucker a way to stay busy after retirement.
“I’m definitely ready to retire,” says Scott Tucker, “But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to stop working. I love to cook and I love running a kitchen. There is a lot of stress and pressure involved, but without it, I don’t know what I would do. I’m hoping that starting this meal center is a way for me to stay active and alive for many, many more years.”
Tucker is hoping to reach current fundraising goals by the end of this year. Operation of the meal center will require on-going relationships with donors who can help keep the doors open and food on the table, but Scott Tucker’s immediate concern is to just find a center and set up a kitchen.
“I want this meal center to be a place where the whole community can come together to serve each other,” says Scott Tucker. “I’m willing to do everything and anything I can do to make it happen, but I can’t do it alone.”