Our History
Established on September 24, 2010, the Village Project (VP) was modeled after the Ceres Community Project in Sebastopol, CA.
After receiving a copy of the Ceres Project Cookbook, Nourishing Connections, Barb Harrell (founder and former VP Executive Director) learned Ceres’ innovative concept of gathering the community to minister to neighbors in health crises by providing nourishing meals.
The idea of using local teenage cooks to prepare nutritious meals for people in their community who are experiencing health challenges intrigued and inspired her. She traveled to California to find out more. This little, spiral-bound cookbook set Barb’s life on a new path. Thus, the Village Project was born.
Over the past 10 years, we have achieved both sustainability and tremendous growth, thanks to partnerships with individuals, businesses, civic organizations, schools, churches, and our cities.
The organization has grown over the years, from its humble beginnings to its current operations. To date, Village Project has offered extended services and more than 40,000 nourishing meals to over 400 families in Avon, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Rocky River, and Westlake.
Our Story
Over the Years
Founded
Village Food Project was founded
First Meals
First meals were prepared in the basement of Bay Presbyterian Church in Bay Village, Ohio and delivered to four local families
Client Base Doubles
Client base doubled after one year, is supported by over 100 volunteers and Avon Lake is added to our service area
Renovation and Moving
Volunteers renovated and moved into 3,500 sq. ft. facility providing meeting space, activity area, office space, storage and commercial kitchen and Rocky River is also added to our service area
Westlake Added
Westlake is added to our service area
Avon Added
Avon is added to our service area
Expanded Facility
We expanded our facility to support the needs of our continually growing client base (600% increase since inception)
The additional space also provides the ability to support the needs of our continually growing client base, additional storage, corporate team-building opportunities, and Project Shoppe; all of which extends our overall positive impact on the community while developing an income source to help support our operations
