About Rainbow Kitchen

Filling the belly, feeding the soul

Founded in 2010, Rainbow Kitchen is a family-friendly community kitchen that specializes in providing delicious meals and connecting the community to resources. Everyone welcome, no questions asked.

If you or someone you know is in need of food, Rainbow Kitchen can help. With a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, Rainbow Kitchen serves 10,000 meals every month.

Our Story

Our Programs

Rainbow Kitchen specializes in programming that strengthens food security surrounding Southern Vancouver Island. Hot breakfasts, tasty lunches, food sharing– there’s a program for everyone.

All Programs

Hot Meals
Weekdays starting at 8:30am – until supplies last

Join us for a hot and delicious breakfast or lunch, served by our team of volunteers daily at Rainbow Kitchen. Vegetarian options available.

Schools
Launched January 2021

Our Pilot School Meal Program launched at Rockheights Middle School, feeding 1,000 breakfast meals each month to students and faculty.

Food Sharing
Weekdays 8am – 1pm

We rescue food from grocery stores, farmers, wholesalers and more to distribute to anyone in need.

Mission

To provide food security and access to resources to all that we welcome through effective community partnerships.

Vision

To fill bellies and feed souls in the communities we serve.

Rainbow Kitchen Volunteer Baking

We Need Your Help

Rainbow Kitchen Relies on Donations

Rainbow Kitchen is made possible by a dedicated team of volunteers to support our staff. We rely on the generous donations of the community to meet the growing need.

Interested in supporting Rainbow Kitchen? We are always in need of non-perishable food items, cash donations, and helping hands.

See Our Needs

Our Team

Rainbow Kitchen has three full time team members, who along with our dedicated volunteers are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and inviting environment for all.

Patrick Johnstone

Executive Director
Contact:
Email

After a decade working abroad in international luxury hospitality and then coming to Victoria to call home again, Patrick’s expertise in guest relations and food & beverage management have brought him to today in the leadership of Rainbow Kitchen.

When he’s not working under the rainbow arches, you can find Patrick gardening, dancing around the house or toodling around town with his dog Tucker or partner Mitch.

Ray Oelke

Front of House Manager
Contact:
Email

After nearly a decade of working as a tree planter all across BC, Ray’s passion for food security and community building brought her to Rainbow Kitchen!

Ray is the Distribution and Logistics Supervisor at Rainbow Kitchen. She coordinates all incoming and outgoing food donations as well as the various food share programs.

Outside of work she enjoys surfing, hiking, her dog Schmitt, baking and all things arts and crafts!

Tracy Chowen

Distribution & Logistics Supervisor
Contact:
Email

After working for more than a decade in the Quick Service Industry, Tracy felt a calling for  change and sought a more meaningful role within her community. She discovered Rainbow Kitchen and the rest is history!

Tracy is the Distribution and Logistics Supervisor at the Rainbow Kitchen. She is responsible for coordinating the incoming daily donations and various community food share programs. 

Outside of work, she enjoys quality time with family, friends and camping in our inreciable outdoors!

Stay Up to Date

  • Brighter Together Foundation Logo

Brighter Together Foundation

December 3rd, 2021|

Rainbow Kitchen has been the recipient of some amazing support this fall from our friends at the Brighter Together Foundation. Arriving in the form of an essential equipment purchase of two

  • Rainbow Kitchen Volunteers Chatting

Call for Volunteers!

March 25th, 2021|

Are you looking for a fun way to engage with your community and give back? Do you like dancing in the kitchen, whipping up some delicious meals and hanging out with

  • Rainbow Kitchen Volunteer Cutting Vegetables

Thank You United Way of Greater Victoria!

March 15th, 2021|

As a not-for-profit, Rainbow Kitchen relies on the generous support from donors to continue our essential programs. United Way Greater Victoria has been a consistent and invaluable partner of Rainbow Kitchen

Join Our Newsletter

Our Generous Donors

Corporate donors help to keep the doors open at Rainbow Kitchen. We thank the ongoing and generous donations of food products and funding that allow us to better serve our community.

Become a Donor