By Stephanie Hirsch

This month, I’m giving a shout-out to two chefs who spend their free time making delicious meals for people who need them. Rob Torino and Jerry Pierce, pictured here in the kitchen at Connexion, cook for the Come to the Table dinner that’s sponsored by the Somerville Food Security Coalition.

According to Rob, who lives in East Somerville and is a professional chef at Harvard University, the experience is very rewarding. “I use my skills in the kitchen to help those in need,” he said. “I enjoy giving back to the community where I grew up. There is such a varied mix of cultures and people. It makes for a wonderful time meeting people I would never have the opportunity to interact with in my everyday life. I love the challenges of preparing a meal from whatever supplies the Project SOUP food pantry has or we get donated from local farms. We start with what is donated and build off our collection of pantry items to create a healthy and delicious meal.”

Recent menus have included: turkey meatloaf with mashed potato and roasted vegetable, pan seared tilapia, and baked penne pasta and vegetables. “Just last month, we served roast pork loin with boiled potatoes and a curried eggplant and chick pea stew, and we always have lots of vegetables and fruit,” Rob said.

Another of the chefs, Jerry Pierce, formerly owned the much-loved Peasant Stock Cambridge restaurant. He then worked with Meals on Wheels, and served as the personal chef for Harvard Chaplain Peter Gomes. Jerry and Rob have recently been joined in the small kitchen by Joan Slater, another long-time Somerville resident with a culinary background, who was recruited by her son Ben, a staff member at Project SOUP.

Lisa Brukilacchio, who helps coordinate the meals as part of the community health work of CHA, reinforces that everyone is welcome at the monthly meals – to eat, volunteer, or both! “Families, seniors, and neighbors can count on a delicious meal. Rob and Jerry make a great team, contributing their time and talents in collaboration with other volunteers to make delicious meals which the dinner guests appreciate so much,” Lisa said.

In addition, there are fresh vegetables and non-perishable items that people can pick up from the resource room, plus there are kids activities and live music. Meals are held every fourth Wednesday of the month, from 5 to 7 PM, at Connexion on Broadway. For more information or to volunteer, contact ericaalvims@gmail.com.

How else can you help? Helping fund summer learning for low-income students through our Somerville Education Foundation campaign.  Often the same people repeatedly donate to help with local needs. If EVERYONE – including anyone who has never given locally – donates what they can, we will be able to make a difference.