OUR MISSION

Working to eliminate childhood hunger

and other barriers to education.

Green apron with text "1 in 5 children in Louisville experiences food insecurity."
Young woman in a classroom holding a green apron, standing near round tables with black chairs, ceiling decorated with white paper snowflakes.
Paper bag filled with fruits and vegetables, including bananas, apples, pineapples, and a tomato. Text on the bag reads: "There are more than 80,000 children at risk for food insecurity in Louisville."
A person wearing a red shirt that says 'Merry and Bright,' standing with arms outstretched in a hallway filled with grocery bags organized on carts, likely in a school or community center setting.
Green star with text about food insecurity affecting children's focus and learning in school.

We believe every child in our community deserves to be healthy, educated and feel like they belong.

How Carole’s Kitchen is Making a Difference

  • Seneca High School Recipe of the Month Club Participants

    Hosting Recipe of the Month Club Events

    This program (currently taking place at Seneca High School) supplies fresh, healthy food ingredients, recipes, and cooking instruction to students to enable them to prepare and eat healthy meals at home.

  • Shelf stable food items on a table for a school food pantry

    Stocking Food Pantries for Local Schools

    Carole’s Kitchen helps collect and distribute shelf-stable food items and other essentials such as clothing and hygiene items to support students at JCPS schools.

  • Judy Gordon of Carole's Kitchen pictured with a food donation for Blessings in a Backpack

    Supporting the Work of Other Local Hunger-Fighting Organizations

    In addition to supporting JCPS students directly, Carole’s Kitchen also partners with other other local organizations such as Blessings in a Backpack, Dare to Care and St. Vincent Depaul.

Who is Carole of Carole’s Kitchen?

Carole’s Kitchen was founded in 2009 by the family of Carole (Watson) Crawford to carry forward her legacy of gathering those in need of food and love around her table. Originally from Louisville, Carole made a lasting impact during her time workng at Marshall University, where she welcomed students to a weekly Thursday-night meal at the Newman Center. Her kitchen and table were always open—offering not only hot meals, but a deep sense of belonging.

“When you reach across a meal and serve someone, you’re not just feeding the body, you’re feeding the soul,” says Judy Gordon, one of Carole’s sisters and the heart behind Carole’s Kitchen.

“You’re telling them you care. You matter—this is important.”

Tragically, Carole and her daughter Meghan lost their lives in an accident. In their memory, Carole’s family continues their mission here in her hometown of Louisville: to fight childhood hunger and make sure every child has access to food, dignity, and the love of a shared meal.

Carole and her siblings posing together outdoors with a sign for Charlestonian yacht charters in the background.

Carole and her siblings. Carole is in the black and white jacket.

Framed photo of Carole and her daughter Meaghan standing outdoors, one wearing sunglasses, on a table in a dimly lit room with people and decorations in the background.

Carol and her daughter, Meaghan.

Our Hunger-Fighting Partners

  • Logo with text "Blessings in a Backpack" featuring a red backpack filled with food items and the question, "Who will feed the kids this weekend?"
  • JCPS Jefferson County Public Schools logo with an open book design
  • Logo of "Dare to Care Food Bank" featuring a red heart-shaped apple with a green leaf and the text "Hope starts here."
  • Logo of St. Vincent de Paul Louisville featuring a blue house icon

Ways to Help

Green apron illustration with text about getting involved in fighting childhood hunger.
Children sitting at a table in a classroom, engaged in drawing and coloring activities with papers and pencils.

Fighting Hunger, Fueling Futures

At Carole’s Kitchen, we believe that no child should go hungry—especially when hunger can stand in the way of education. Our mission is simple: to ensure that every student in our community has access to the food they need to thrive in and out of the classroom.

One of our most impactful initiatives is the Recipe of the Month Club at Seneca High School. Through this program, students receive:

✔ Nutritious ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes
✔ Hands-on cooking instruction from our dedicated volunteers
✔ Skills to prepare healthy meals at home for themselves and their families

By equipping students with knowledge, tools, and resources, we’re empowering them to take charge of their nutrition—helping them stay focused in school and build lifelong healthy habits.

We have even had special guest chefs such as Chef Josh Moore of Volare Italian Restaurant support the recipe of the month club (pictured here).

Two students interacting with a chef at a cooking demonstration in Seneca High School, with signs for Freshman Academy and Law & I.T. Academy overhead.

Join us in the fight against student hunger.

  • "Carole's Kitchen has been a blessing to our Kerrick Elementary School families and community. We appreciate and are grateful for the kindness and generosity shown to us on a regular basis. From unlimited nutritional support for our school pantry to holiday meals for our families in need. Judy Gordon and her network of supporters are amazing! Thank you for always taking care of us! We love Carole's Kitchen!"

    Tiffany C. Billing, Family Resource Center Coordinator, Kerrick Elementary School

  • Blessings in a Backpack is incredibly grateful for the partnership with Carol’s Kitchen. Together, we work to uplift the community by addressing one of humanity’s most basic needs: food. Our collaboration continues to make a significant impact, providing nourishment and hope to countless children in need.

    Blessings in a Backpack

  • "Carole's Kitchen assisted in developing the Seneca High School Food Pantry in 2017. The need for the pantry has grown over the years and Carole's Kitchen always rises to the occasion. They currently serves 60-65 students on Thursdays to provide food for students and families over the weekend. Carole's Kitchen is essential to eliminating the barrier of hunger and food insecurity for the students at Seneca High School and has been a blessing to our school for many years."

    Elycia Pettaway, Seneca High School

Special Thanks to our Platinum Sponsor

Toyota Tsusho logo with abstract blue design.