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Innisfil, ON – On February 16, 2022, Innisfil Town Council joined local philanthropist, Boris Horodynsky, to celebrate the visionary $1 million gift that created the Horodynsky Community Kitchen at the Rizzardo Health & Wellness Centre.

The Town of Innisfil’s Health & Wellness team has utilized the kitchen throughout much of the COVID-19 pandemic as a natural way to engage and unite the community. Although the larger scale grand opening that was planned for 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic, Council was pleased to finally have the opportunity to thank Boris in person.

“The Horodynsky Community Kitchen has become a beacon in our community over the last two years,” says Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin. “Mr. Horodynsky’s generosity has rippled through Innisfil, bringing residents of all ages together to connect, socialize and help their neighbours during this challenging time.”

“I understood the potential for this community kitchen right from the start, and I believe it has had an even bigger impact than any of us could have expected,” says Boris Horodynsky. “More and more people have been cooking from home over the past two years. I’m honoured that this kitchen is being used to help give people the skills they need to cook healthier meals.”

Programs operating out of the Horodynsky Community Kitchen include:

  • What’s Cooking Innisfil - Virtual cooking program targeted towards low-income families. Participants receive an ingredient box with a written recipe and all of the ingredients required to prepare the recipe, and can cook along with a pre-recorded video demonstration. Families learn new recipes that can be prepared on a relatively low budget, and learn about food and nutrition.
  • Cooking Up Community - Cooking program for seniors to learn how to prepare simple, balanced meals that incorporate key nutrients to optimize health while aging. Participants cook the meal as a group, and then sit down to enjoy the meal together.
  • Seniors’ Food Box – An alternative program to Cooking Up Community for heightened COVID-19 restrictions, and for seniors who are not comfortable with in-person activities even when there are fewer restrictions . Seniors receive a food box that includes a written recipe and all of the ingredients required to prepare the recipe. Recipes are simple and balanced so that seniors learn a practical recipe to incorporate into the meal routines.
  • Sustainable Food Champions - Sustainable cooking program for teenagers to gain food skills and learn about the environmental impacts of our food system, and what we can do as individuals and a community to reduce our impact. Food prepared use surplus or upcycled ingredients from local businesses to reduce food waste and are donated to the community through the Troy Scott Community Fridge.
  • Lunch & Learn Kits - Kid’s Lunch & Learn Kits offer a hands-on opportunity for children to learn about food and health, while making their own lunch. Each kit includes a complete, kid-friendly lunch recipe, all of the ingredients required to prepare the meal, and fun food and health literacy activities.

“The Horodynsky Community Kitchen is bringing our community together, one meal at a time,” says Mayor Dollin. “None of this would be possible without this generous donation.”

Learn more about Horodynsky Community Kitchen programs.