Kitchen Renovations! It’s Happening!

By Jason Wolgemuth, Freelance Writer

All of us at Hope Served are excited to share the culmination of our hard work—the launch of Hope Served Kitchen! In 2024 we purchased the former Manheim Mennonite Church, a sturdy building with a rich history of ministry in the community dating to 1896. With more than 66,000 individuals with disabilities within a 20-mile radius, this is an ideal location to provide accessible social settings and training for mainstream employment.

Since the purchase of the building, we’ve worked on zoning, architectural plans, fundraising, kitchen design, and fleshing out the vision for this new workforce development center. And now our building renovation work is underway—after kicking off renovation at our “wall-breaking ceremony” on April 13—with targeted completion of early fall.

What will the building house?

Food Service Training Program: The core element of this facility is a job training program, built on curriculum from the National Restaurant Association. Participants will learn culinary and food service skills, gain transferable workplace skills, and launch into careers in food service and other industries.

Public Eatery and Catering: An important extension of our teaching kitchen is yet another learning environment: a public eatery and catering service, providing paid jobs for individuals with disabilities—from cooks to counter staff—while offering a welcoming space for the community for dining, meetings, and events.

Accessible Design: Our historic building is being thoughtfully redeveloped to preserve its character while improving accessibility, including an outdoor deck and ramp for easier access and outdoor seating. Inside, one bathroom will feature a full-size accessible changing table, providing essential dignity, independence, and freedom for those who require it.

Office and Ministry Space: The building will provide administrative office space for Hope Served as well as opportunities for social gatherings, classes, and micro-enterprise coordination. The Community Church of Manheim will continue to meet in the basement.

As our rooted and rising organization moves into this incredible space, it is such a blessing to advance our core objectives of providing job training and paid employment.

The remarkable support of our local community—donors, businesses, churches, civic groups, and volunteers—has made it possible to bring this vision to life, creating a space where everyone can belong, contribute, and thrive.

The new facility brings to life a long-held vision of Hope Served Founder & President Kelly Harnish. “It’s time to flip the script on disability. Each person is created with inherent worth and brings a desire to contribute, with unique talents and a real capacity to serve through meaningful work. Too often, opportunity falls short—not because of ability, but because of persistent barriers and bias. This new facility is more than a building—it’s a space where labels are left at the door, gifts are celebrated, and every person can be seen, find belonging, and live out love for their neighbor.”

We hope to see you soon at Hope Served Kitchen!