MyCityCare kitchen one giant step closer

By Lethbridge Herald on December 18, 2025.

Herald photo by alejandra pulido-guzman Alex Hladun, Healthy Heros director and Jenn Trible, executive director of MyCityCare (both in middle) receive a cheque from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Wednesday at the future Community Kitchen in MyCityCare.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

MyCityCare received a substantial grant from the Humanitarian Fund from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in support of its Community Kitchen Project. 

The Community Kitchen Project will support community groups through MyCityCare programs, and in partnership with other local nonprofit organizations the kitchen will serve as a shared resource for food preparation, education, collaboration, and distribution ensuring dignified, barrier-free access to nutritious food.

Jen Tribble, Executive Director of MyCityCare said Wednesday, the $76,750 will be used to expand the existing kitchen at their new location, which will be designed to strengthen food security and community connection across Lethbridge families.

“One of the things we love is our Healthy Heroes program in Taber, Barnwell and Coaldale and we have been hoping that we can expand that program into Lethbridge,” said Tribble. 

Healthy Heroes was successfully piloted in partnership with local school libraries and expanded its services during the teachers’ strike to ensure no child went without nutritional support, particularly those who rely on school-based meal programs.

,“We are looking forward to offer that here as well and we hope to do it starting next school year in September if we have this kitchen up and running by then,” said Tribble. 

In terms of the type of renovations the space will require to make it into a functional kitchen, Tribble said there are a few things that need to be done. 

“We are looking at adding some stoves, additional freezers, food storage facilities, prep tables, ovens, fridges and dishwashers,” said Tribble. 

Alex Hladun, Healthy Heros director with MyCityCare said that because of the way the program run, everything has to be done in a certified kitchen, and because they did not have access to one in their previous location, they were unable to provide the program for local schools. 

“This kitchen is going to provide the space to be able to pilot this program into a couple of schools and see how it runs,” said Hladun. 

He explained that the Healthy Heros program is intentionally inclusive and barrier-free, allowing all students to access support without stigma. Children can choose and receive customized levels of support in a way that is respectful, non-judgmental, and dignified.

“We believe that kids should be able to access food as they need it and want it. We don’t just provide full lunches to kids, we actually provide healthy food options, and they get to choose what they need,” said Hladun.