A phone conversation with the Executive Director Cathryn Couch and client Katherine Kraemer.
In the California town of Sebastopol high school students meet for two hours after school on a day of their choice to cook organic healing food for people with serious health problems. Named after the Greek goddess of agriculture and generosity, Ceres, this project is almost entirely based on gifts. The teenage volunteers enjoy cooking so much that there is a waiting list. Sonoma County organic farmers donate most of the food, the use of the first kitchen was donated by a church, and volunteers are bringing the prepared dishes to the homes of the clients. These clients, and often their whole family receive a week’s worth of beautifully prepared food as gift for up to three months. After that time they are asked to contribute. Their donation to the Ceres Community Project can be as little as $5 a week.
The Ceres Project is young – it started in March of 2007 – but it has touched so many lives, and inspired such gratitude and a kind of generosity that increased fourfold the number of meals provided in 2008. In early 2009 there is already the first attempt to duplicate the project in a neighboring county.
The Ceres Project came to the attention of another community organization, the West Marin radio station KWMR <http://kwmr.org/> and Mike Litchfield, host of the series: Heading Home. When Ceres Project founder Cathryn Couch first appeared on the air the station received so many requests to hear her again that Cathryn came back on the air in March of 2009. Thanks to KWMR and Mike Litchfield for allowing the re-broadcast of the program.
Part ONE: Interview with Cathryn Couch, Executive Director of the Ceres Community Project.
Part TWO: Conversation with Ceres Community Project client Katherine Kraemer who is going through chemotherapy. Cathryn Couch is participating as well.
Both interviews are made by phone. Recorded on March 10, 2009.
The web site of the Ceres Project is <http://www.ceresproject.org>
For a broadcast quality mp3 version of Part ONE click HERE
For a broadcast quality mp3 version of Part TWO click HERE
Code A327 To order a 58 minute CD click here: $10.00
