good times | good food | good deeds
Cooking up a better tomorrow in Hoboken & Jersey City
Welcome to Johnny's Giving Kitchen — where young professionals across Hudson County come together to cook up change and nourish our neighbors in need, one delicious homemade meal at a time.
the need next door
Hunger isn't somewhere else. It's in our backyard.
Hudson County has the highest rate of food insecurity of any county in New Jersey. Behind that number are real families — our neighbors — deciding between rent and groceries.
At Johnny's Giving Kitchen, we believe in the power of community and the joy of giving. Do-gooders from Hoboken and Jersey City gather in our kitchen to prepare fresh, nutritious meals that get delivered to neighbors in need that very same day.
of Hudson County residents face food insecurity — the highest rate of any county in New Jersey.
New Jerseyans are food insecure, a 65% increase since 2020.
Sources: Feeding America Map the Meal Gap (2023 county data) and Feeding America (2025 statewide estimate), via the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.
giving back never tasted so good
Three ingredients. One very good time.
real impact
Every meal you help prepare provides hunger relief and restores dignity for a family in Hudson County — delivered fresh the same day.
real fun
Ninety minutes, globally-inspired menu themes and a soundtrack worth staying for. Every session is a fresh adventure, and no cooking experience is required.
real connection
Meet other young professionals who care about giving back. Build your network, flex your knife skills, and have an absolute blast.
by the numbers
What a kitchen full of good people can do
minutes from apron on to meals out the door
homemade meals prepared per session
volunteers in the kitchen each cook
meals goal for our first two years
get involved
Three ways to pull up a chair
Whether you've got 90 minutes, a whole team, or the means to help, there's a place for you in this kitchen.
Volunteer
Ready to cook for good? Join a Giving Kitchen session. Cook alongside new friends while creating fresh, homemade meals for Hudson County families in need.
Sign up for a session
Host a Private Cook
Bring your team, clients, or friends together for a hands-on cooking experience that gives back. Perfect for corporate outings, team-building days, birthdays, and simchas.
Request details
Donate
Your gift buys the ingredients — every dollar goes straight into fresh food for Hudson County families, and any amount makes a real difference.
Donate nowreserve your spot
Pick a session and sign up
Choose an upcoming Giving Kitchen date below. Each session runs 90 minutes, and spots are limited — so grab yours early.
every dollar becomes dinner
Fund a meal, feed a neighbor
Your gift buys the ingredients that fill our trays. Give once or monthly — every amount goes straight into fresh food for Hudson County families.
Johnny's Giving Kitchen is a project of YJP of Hoboken and Jersey City, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3). Your donation is tax-deductible.
craving a meaningful way to give back?
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Johnny, doing what he loved
Dedicated in loving memory of
Johnny EllisOB”M
Johnny’s Giving Kitchen carries his name because it carries his spirit. As one of the founders of the Giving Kitchen, Johnny helped build it from the very beginning with the same warmth, generosity, and quiet kindness that defined his life.
He had a remarkable way of making everyone feel welcomed, valued, and at home, and he measured a good day by how many people he could help. Every meal prepared and shared through Johnny’s Giving Kitchen continues the love and care that he brought to our community.