Health & Safety Committee: Monee Church Kitchen Project Highlighted in County Health Impact Report
Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | February 5, 2026
Article Summary: The Will County MAPP Collaborative presented its impact report, highlighting ARPA-funded community kitchen projects in Monee and Joliet designed to improve food access and nutrition education.
MAPP Collaborative Key Points:
-
Monee Project: New Hope Christian Church in Monee has established a commercial-grade community kitchen used for Meals on Wheels expansion and youth culinary classes.
-
Joliet Project: Riverwalk Homes in Joliet is finalizing infrastructure for a kitchen to support seniors and pantry clients.
-
Investment: Over $714,000 in ARPA funds has been invested in four partners to enhance food access.
JOLIET, IL – A community kitchen project in Monee is helping expand food access in eastern Will County, according to a report presented to the Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee on Tuesday, February 5, 2026.
Caitlin Daly, Program Manager for the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) Collaborative, updated the board on the progress of initiatives funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Daly highlighted the success of New Hope Christian Church in Monee, which utilized grant funding to build a kitchen equipped with commercial-grade appliances. The facility has been operational for approximately one year.
“They’ve been really able to expand their Meals on Wheels access into the eastern part of the county,” Daly said.
In addition to food distribution, the Monee location has integrated educational programming. A Cordon Bleu-trained chef has joined the ministry to teach culinary skills to youth. Daly noted that the church held weekly cooking classes for children for about four months, culminating in a project where students prepared a three-course meal.
The report also detailed progress at Riverwalk Homes in Joliet, which received funding to upgrade plumbing and electrical systems for a teaching kitchen. Expected to launch by summer, this facility will work in conjunction with an on-site pantry to help seniors and residents with illnesses learn how to cook using the ingredients they receive.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Chicago Flips Red calls for audit after public schools report
Capital Imp Committee: Begins Drafting Policy to Regulate Artificial Intelligence in County Government
Public Health Committee Chair Demands Animal Control Agreements for Crete, Monee
Public Works Committee Considers Taking Over Kankakee County Line Road to Expedite Bridge Repairs
Peotone Man Charged With Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Damage at New Lenox Target
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Beecher School District 200U Board for December 10, 2025
Executive Committee: Update to Land Resource Management Plan; Solar Farms and Rural Zoning Dominate Discussion
Will County Committee Adds Path to Citizenship Support to Federal Agenda
Health Department Outlines Major Reduction in Consensus Vaccine Schedule
Board Approves Safety Funding Amendment, Hires Bus Driver
Public Works Committee Forwards Condemnation Proceedings for Francis and Marley Road Improvements
Finance Committee: Scholarship Tax Credit Discussion Halts
