Mother's Kitchen

Mother's Kitchen, Nebraska
Amma says: “Love the poor wholeheartedly. Go to their level. Believe that it is your dharma, your duty to love and serve the poor.”
Mother's Kitchen, Quebec, Canada
Amma says: “Love the poor wholeheartedly. Go to their level. Believe that it is your dharma, your duty to love and serve the poor.”
Mother's Kitchen Dallas, TX
Amma says: “Love the poor wholeheartedly. Believe that it is your dharma, your duty to love and serve the poor.”
Mother's Kitchen, Seattle, WA
Amma says: “Love the poor wholeheartedly. Go to their level. Believe that it is your dharma, your duty to love and serve the poor.”
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What We Do

In 1996, inspired by Amma's teachings to serve the poor, a group of people approached Amma and asked if they should identify places that have people with a dire need and try to help. When Amma said yes, they found a small soup kitchen in west Oakland serving free meals every weekday while operating on a shoestring budget. Mother’s Kitchen began serving hot meals there twice a month, soon adding bagged lunches too.

The idea spread and soon Mother’s Kitchens began popping up all over the map. Currently, there are close to 50 in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica. Most help existing facilities, by purchasing food and supplies from donations made to Mother's Kitchen, and by supplying volunteers to prepare, cook and serve the meals. 

Since 2020, many Mother's Kitchens have gone on hiatus due to the covid pandemic, but a few have continued with contact-free delivery of meals or distribution of staples. In 2021 alone, Berkeley Mother's Kitchen distributed  29,836 pounds of fresh produce, protein items and staple foods for contact-free pickup by housed and unhoused food-insecure individuals and families. San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Portland, Mexico, Canada and other Mother's Kitchens around the country have also continued to serve the hungry throughout the covid pandemic."

Mother’s Kitchen groups in North America prepare, cook and serve 150,000 meals for the homeless and hungry each year. Some groups also collect and distribute clothing, household items or food staples for communities in need. In the Bay Area, the Amma’s Pantry initiative, launched in 2013, has collected 11,347 lbs of food - the equivalent of 9,078 meals – for distribution to local food kitchens, food pantries, and directly into local communities.

Some groups also collect clothing, household items or food staples for communities in need.

  • In Ohio, we outfitted a women’s shelter, painting and furnishing apartments, providing clothing, toys and school supplies, as well as meals.
  • In San Diego, we provided food to migrant workers during winter months when work was scarce.
  • In Portland Oregon and Victoria Canada, we participate in a city-wide project to reduce wasted food and recycle essentials that are still usable. 
  • In Los Angeles - join us for Food Rescue and Re-purpose in Santa Monica and Torrance,  H.O.P.E meals in Santa Monica, and Downtown Women's Center monthly luncheon
  • In Rockville Maryland, we prepare and serve thirty meals at a women’s shelter once a month. 
  • In Costa Rica, Mother’s Kitchen started out as an annual fiesta celebration with free food and has now evolved into an ongoing project throughout the year.

Anyone wishing to volunteer time is more than welcome. If you're interested in starting a new Mother's Kitchen, please contact motherskitchen@ammagroups.org.

We are on facebook now - Add your Mother's Kitchen event information or see pictures at Mother's Kitchen.

Mothers Kitchen Contacts List

News About Mother's Kitchen

Toronto, Canada
Amma Canada will be serving vegetarian chilli at GBB on Sat Mar 16
Toronto, Canada
Amma Canada will be serving vegetarian chili at GBB on Sat Feb 3