July 15, 2025

A Milestone of Dignity and Impact — Community Garden Kitchen Serves 100,000 Meals

A Milestone of Dignity and Impact — Community Garden Kitchen Serves 100,000 Meals
In the heart of Fairview, Texas, one neighbor has turned a vision born at a kitchen table into a transformative force for good. Angela Poen, a Fairview resident of over 21 years and co-founder of the Community Garden Kitchen (CGK) in McKinney, has led her organization to an incredible milestone: serving 100,000 meals to those facing food insecurity in Collin County. As featured on the Getting Neighborly podcast, Angela’s story is a testament to the power of community, compassion, and commitment to making a difference. Her work not only highlights the strength of Fairview’s residents but also positions our town as a vibrant, purpose-driven community that business owners and entrepreneurs will want to call home.

A Milestone of Compassion: 100,000 Meals and Counting

Since opening its doors on June 7, 2022, the Community Garden Kitchen has provided over 100,000 freshly prepared, nutritious meals to anyone in need, no questions asked. Located at 501 Howard Street in McKinney, just a short drive from Fairview, CGK operates as a “free meal restaurant,” offering a dignified dining experience where guests are greeted, seated at individual tables, and served by volunteers. Under Angela’s leadership, CGK has become a beacon of hope, serving over 600 meals weekly to children, seniors, veterans, and families across Collin County.
This milestone is more than a number—it’s a reflection of Angela’s unwavering dedication and the support of nearly 900 volunteers who bring CGK’s mission to life. From single mothers to seniors struggling to make ends meet, CGK’s impact touches diverse lives. As Angela shared on our podcast, “We’re just providing meals and compassion, giving people a smile that maybe they haven’t received all day.”

Angela Poen: A Neighbor Making a Difference

A former schoolteacher, certified mediator, and Fairview resident, Angela Poen’s journey with CGK began in 2014 during a Bible study discussion about hunger in Collin County. Shocked to learn that over 48,000 children and 15% of the county’s residents face food insecurity annually, Angela and her group resolved to act. “We thought, surely there’s a place in Collin County providing prepared meals to these families. But there wasn’t,” Angela recalled on Getting Neighborly. Her response? “We’ll just have to raise the money and build one.”
That bold commitment led to the creation of CGK, a 4,800-square-foot facility built debt-free through $1.3 million in grassroots donations and partnerships with organizations like the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, which leased the land for $10 a year. Angela’s vision of “dining with dignity” sets CGK apart from traditional soup kitchens, offering a restaurant-style experience that fosters community and respect.

The Ripple Effect of CGK’s Work

CGK’s impact extends far beyond its dining room. The organization’s Globe Life Garden, tended by volunteers and the Collin County Master Gardeners, produced over 1,100 pounds of fresh produce in 2023, enriching meals with homegrown fruits, vegetables, and herbs. CGK has also donated over 75 tons of surplus food to local pantries, ensuring no food goes to waste. In January 2025, CGK launched a culinary certification program for young adults aging out of foster care, offering paid internships, job placement, and life skills training to empower the next generation.
Recognized as a Top 100 Nonprofit in North America by the PepsiCo Foundation and awarded the 2024 Texas Restaurant Association Community Impact Award, CGK’s influence is undeniable. The $7,500 PepsiCo grant alone will fund an additional 5,000 meals, furthering Angela’s mission to end hunger in Collin County.

Why Fairview is the Place to Be

Angela Poen’s story is a shining example of the kind of people you’ll find in Fairview—a community of doers, dreamers, and difference-makers. Fairview’s proximity to McKinney, combined with its welcoming spirit and commitment to supporting impactful initiatives like CGK, makes it an ideal home for business owners and entrepreneurs. By relocating to Fairview, you’ll join a neighborhood where innovation meets compassion, and where businesses thrive alongside residents who care deeply about their community.
The Fairview Economic Development Corporation invites business owners to explore our vibrant town, where you can connect with neighbors like Angela who are making a tangible impact. From CGK’s partnerships with local farms and grocery stores to its volunteer-driven model, Fairview fosters an environment where businesses can align with meaningful causes, enhancing their brand and building lasting community ties. Visit www.FairviewTexasEDC.com to learn why Fairview is the perfect place to grow your business.

Join the Movement: Support CGK

The Community Garden Kitchen welcomes everyone to get involved. Whether you volunteer to serve meals, tend the garden, or attend fundraising events like the annual Kitchen Classic golf tournament or the upcoming Pickleball Tournament on March 1, 2025, your support can help CGK continue its mission. Donations are also critical—every dollar counts toward providing more meals and hope. Visit www.communitygardenkitchen.org or email directors@communitygardenkitchen.org to learn more.

A Neighbor We’re Proud Of

Angela Poen and the Community Garden Kitchen embody the heart of Fairview: a community that sees a need and steps up to meet it. As we celebrate CGK’s milestone of 100,000 meals served, we’re reminded of the power of one neighbor’s vision to transform lives. Tune in to Angela’s Getting Neighborly podcast episode to hear her inspiring story, and join us in supporting CGK’s mission to end food insecurity in Collin County. Together, we can make Fairview and McKinney places where no one goes hungry—and where businesses and residents alike thrive in a community built on compassion.
Stay neighborly, Fairview!

➤ Get Involved:

  • Donate today to help CGK continue serving Collin County with dignity: [Insert Donation Link]

  • Volunteer and become part of the team changing lives one plate at a time: [Insert Volunteer Link]

  • Share this post and help spread the word about the impact CGK is making.

To Angela, the CGK team, and every hand that helped serve those first 100,000 meals—thank you. Here’s to the next 100,000.

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This spotlight brought to you by Fairview EDC and the Getting Neighborly podcast—where community connections come first. 

Subscribe to the Getting Neighborly Podcast for a behind-the-scenes recap and follow @FairviewTXEDC on YouTube and LinkedIn for live updates.

See you Friday!

Getting Neighborly is produced by the Fairview Economic Development Corporation to inspire, inform, and connect the people who make our community exceptional. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred app and sign up for the free Getting Neighborly newsletter to receive monthly Fairview success stories and event invitations delivered directly to your inbox.

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"Super" Dave Quinn, CEcD Profile Photo

"Super" Dave Quinn, CEcD

Podcast Host

"Super" Dave Quinn, CEcD, as he is known around the country, is a seasoned Certified Economic Development Professional, delivering a range of consulting, training, and coaching services for Economic Development Agencies and their executives.

He is a professional speaker, podcast host, and economic development coach, inspiring others to take ownership of their lives and positively impact the world by sharing their God-given talents and abilities. He travels the country encouraging audiences to pursue their purpose and live their personal best. He coaches

Dave is the founder of Day One Experts, a collection of the country's best-known Public-Private interaction specialists. Day One Experts offers fractional and interim economic and community development services for communities around the country. Dave is currently serving as Interim Economic Manager for the Town of Fairview.

Dave also founded the Texas Economic Development Connection in 2020 to help reduce the cost and stress business owners face when relocating or expanding into Texas. By connecting business owners with professional economic developers from across the state, the TexasEDConnecton gives business owners access to the resources needed to help minimize the impact on their bottom line when expanding or relocating their business.

Before leaping into entrepreneurship, Dave served as Vice President of Frisco Economic Development Corp. in Frisco, TX. He helped lead a team of highly skilled economic developers in one of the nation's fastest-growing cities. D… Read More

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