Twenty Years. Hundreds of Stories. One Mission.
On November 6, 2026, we celebrated a remarkable milestone: 20 years of Second Harvest Food Bank's Providence Culinary Training and another class of graduates ready to take their next steps toward new opportunities.
It was a day to celebrate achievement, reflect on how far we've come, and recognize the extraordinary community of people whose generosity, encouragement, and belief in the power of opportunity have made these 20 years possible.
Although founding Chef Jeff Bacon couldn't join us in person, he shared a special video message reflecting on this milestone and the people who have helped shape the program's journey.
For two decades, Second Harvest's Providence Culinary Training has helped people discover their talents, build confidence, develop professional skills, and create new possibilities for themselves and their families. More than 1,100 graduates have been part of that story, each bringing their own aspirations, determination, and potential.
This anniversary also gave us an opportunity to recognize the generous supporters who helped make it possible to name our culinary training kitchen in Chef Jeff's honor—a lasting tribute to his vision, leadership, and enduring impact.
But this celebration belongs to our amazing graduates and everyone who has helped make Providence Culinary Training.
Every gift, every partnership, every word of encouragement, and every act of support has contributed to a legacy that reaches far beyond the kitchen.
To our graduates, instructors, donors, volunteers, partners, and friends: Thank you for being part of these first 20 years and for helping create the possibilities that lie ahead.
Here's to the next 20 years of changing lives, one recipe at a time!
