Maria Kelly

"I planted the seed of AMOR Healing Kitchen after a 14 year career in teaching high school in Charleston County. My love for plant-based food, local farms, working with teenagers, and supporting people in a time of need is the foundation of AMOR. I had been with my mom during her journey of a Colon cancer diagnosis and she was the one that instilled in me a love of cooking and healthy food. Growing up, no matter how busy everyone was, we always sat down together at the dinner table. I learned at an early age, that food connects us and heals us. I would often cook for my mom and take her food when she wasn't feeling well and I felt that was a little bit of comfort and strength that I could offer her during that time. Being a teacher for 14 years showed me that the youth have so much to offer in shaping the future of our community if you offer them the tools to guide them. When I learned of an organization in California that works with teens and serves people with health challenges, I just had this deep feeling of connection and that something similar could work in Charleston. We have an abundance of local, organic farms and I believe getting back to the earth for our food will cure us of many of our chronic diseases. AMOR is bringing that to the table, made with love."