Remarkable Women: Maria Kelly establishes plant-based kitchen to support people undergoing cancer treatment and health challenges

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – People often say the kitchen is the heart of the home, and at Amor Healing Kitchen, that love is easily felt within the walls of their cozy Avondale outpost.

“We’ve been grassroots from day one; so we started from scratch, but I wouldn’t be here without all of the love that surrounds us,” said Maria Kelly, founder of Amor Healing Kitchen.

After 15 years as a teacher in Charleston County schools, Kelly made a leap of faith and left the classroom to follow her heart.

“It was really scary. It felt like I was jumping off a cliff, it took a lot of faith, and, I really just sat with it for a long time and decided that I would reach the end of my life and regret if I had never tried,” she said.

Amor Healing Kitchen is a non-profit that delivers plant-based meals to people undergoing cancer treatment and other serious health challenges.

“Most of our clients have never tried plant-based eating, but we really turn them onto it just by trying it, we tell everyone to try it for at least two weeks, and we get great feedback,” she said.

Over 80% of Amor’s clients receive meals at no cost, and Kelly’s model is just as nourishing for the soul as it is for the body.

She brings in teen volunteers, guided by a professional chef and adult mentors, teaching them not only culinary skills but also the power of giving back.

“The teens come in Wednesdays and Thursdays at four o’clock. The kitchen is popping with them and it’s baptism by fire, so they learn right away; first they learn knife skills, then they are doing some chopping, mixing, and then they are packaging and then cooking.”

Now, more than seven years in, Amor Healing Kitchen has grown into a pillar of the Charleston community, expanding to support people with heart disease and more. And, behind every meal is Kelly, constantly evolving, working, and inspiring.

“We are all put on this earth for a very very unique purpose, and if we let that light shine, this world will become a better place,” she said.

If you want to pick up “Grab and Grow” meals for your family or get connected to volunteer, you can visit Amor Healing Kitchen’s website by clicking here.