Empowering Guests Through Cooking at Thomas Merton Family Center

At the Thomas Merton Family Center (TMFC), every meal served and every bag of groceries distributed through the food pantry carries a deeper purpose: nourishing not just the body but also the spirit of community. It was in this spirit that a simple question from pantry guests sparked an initiative that would empower them far beyond the kitchen.

It all started with curiosity. Guests at the pantry would often ask, “What can I do with produce like pumpkin and squash?” or “How do I clean an artichoke?” These questions ignited an idea in Fethi Zermane, a dedicated pantry staff member: why not teach guests how to use the ingredients they receive to create fresh, healthy, and affordable meals for their families?

Fethi shared this vision with Bill Colson, the former TMFC Director, Sabine Kuczo, the current Interim Director, and Nick Martinez, the current Operations Manager, who immediately saw its potential. But turning an idea into reality requires resources, and that is where a miracle happened. Thanks to Marianne Kahn’s relentless efforts and determination in Donor Relations, TMFC secured a grant specifically for this purpose. What began as a thought evolved into an ongoing cooking class held in the center’s kitchen, designed to empower guests with culinary skills that would last a lifetime.

As a house of hospitality, TMFC has been serving nutritious, freshly made meals to the community for over five decades. The pantry also provides staple ingredients to nearly a thousand guests. But something was missing: the ability to help guests become their own chefs, to enable them to prepare warm, fresh meals on their own with confidence and pride.

“You can feed someone for a day, but if you teach them how to cook, you will feed them for life.”

– Fethi’s inspiration for the cooking classes program.

The program quickly gained momentum, thanks to the dedication of many. The entire TMFC staff played a key role in spreading the word about the classes to guests. The staff are grateful to Order of Malta, a long-standing partner of Thomas Merton Family Center and Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, for their generous support of the program.

The impact of the program was deeply felt by everyone involved. The tears in Sabine’s eyes as she watched guests learn a new skill and enjoy the experience were a testament to her love, commitment, and the deep connection she holds to TMFC’s mission. Maxi Royston’s keen organization and feedback, along with the assistance of Anne Pigue, both dedicated volunteers, helped make the classes a success, demonstrating how the whole community came together to support this initiative.

At the end of one particularly moving class, the warm and enthusiastic applause from the fifteen attendees was not for Fethi alone but for TMFC’s volunteers, staff, and management, who made it all possible. Each participant left not only with newfound skills but also with a bag containing all the essential ingredients to recreate an authentic Mediterranean couscous with vegetables and chicken at home. To commemorate their achievement, they received well-deserved certificates signed by Sabine and the class’s chef, Fethi.

What started as a simple question, “How do I cook this?” has grown into an initiative that fosters confidence, self-sufficiency, and joy in the kitchen. Thanks to the collective efforts of a compassionate team and generous supporters, TMFC is not only feeding people but also equipping them with the skills to nourish themselves and their families for years to come.