Delivering fully prepared nutritious meals to those in need

MetzWood Insurance has been involved with many nonprofits, selecting a different nonprofit for their referral program each year. When agency principal Matthew Wood learned about the Columbia County Recovery Kitchen, a local organization providing food to the needy, he knew that this was a cause that would be worth supporting.

Providing meals to the most vulnerable

The co-founders of the Columbia County Recovery Kitchen – Carole Clark and Pam Kline – knew the state of food insecurity existed in the county before the Covid pandemic and realized that that vulnerable population would be severely impacted and the number would grow exponentially. With the COVID safety protocols in mind, they created CCRK, got it certified, found 2 unemployed chefs, a kitchen, financial support from the community and a cadre of volunteers who delivered the meals to people in need all over the county.

“Our goal is to not only feed the food-insecure population but to also provide them with nutrient-rich foods prepared with fresh ingredients that come from our local agricultural community.

—Pam Kline, co-founder and board chair of Columbia County Recovery Kitchen

COVID offered a unique opportunity to connect with the community using video chat rather than in-person meetings, allowing CCRK to move much more swiftly. Thanks to Clark’s existing relationship with the health department from her days as a restaurant chef/proprietor, they were up and running within a month.

Columbia County Recovery Kitchen employs professional chefs who manage a kitchen of many volunteer cooks. The nonprofit has become successful enough that they keep a waiting list of those who wish to volunteer in the kitchen and support their efforts.

Supporting the community

“It’s really important for MetzWood to give back to our community, just because the community has done so much for us,” said Wood. “As a community-based business, we’re only as strong as the communities that we serve.”

MetzWood Insurance regularly offers donations and volunteers time to directly help people in need. The agency even allows paid volunteer time to all their employees, encouraging them to make a difference in their community on their own.

Each year, the agency selects a nonprofit for their referral program, which allows customers to contribute as well. The Columbia County Recovery Kitchen gives back so much that it was a no-brainer to pick them as one of the nonprofits they wished to support. Right now, when any referral comes through, the agency donates $10 to the nonprofit. They also incentivize customers to donate with fun giveaways.

Reaching more people in need

Initially, the nonprofit provided 200 meals a week. By 2024, that has increased to 1,600 meals a week. With time, it became evident that severe food and nutrition insecurity existed pre Covid and would continue after the pandemic ended.  To reach more needy families, CCRK intends to increase its outreach. In addition to providing meals, the nonprofit also wants to begin providing education to families to teach them about nutrition and how to make healthy meals on a limited budget.

“It’s really important for MetzWood to give back to our community, just because the community has done so much for us. As a community-based business, we’re only as strong as the communities that we serve.”

—Matthew Wood, president of MetzWood Insurance

“Our goal is to not only feed the food-insecure population, but to also provide them with nutrient-rich foods,” said Kline. “And we further aim to support our community by building the meals we deliver with fresh ingredients that come from the agricultural community here in Columbia County.” With the help of donations and volunteers, Columbia County Recovery Kitchen aims to make that goal a reality.

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