Clelia Poujade, founder of Hands Together to Feed Chicago, has used her love of cooking to fight food insecurity in her adopted city of Chicago. Inspired by her internship at Rush Medical Center, Poujade saw a need for food and community among Chicago’s underserved residents. In March 2022, she launched Hands Together to Feed Chicago, a community-driven organization dedicated to fighting hunger and fostering connection. With a team of dedicated volunteers, she has served over 8,000 scratch-made meals and desserts to those in need, turning her lifelong passion into a life-changing endeavor.
Raised in her grandmother’s kitchen, Poujade learned to cook for her extended family in the French countryside. Her skills further developed when she trained with a Michelin chef in Paris. After moving to the United States, she missed the sense of community that came from sharing meals, so she began reaching out to soup kitchens around Chicago, volunteering her time to cook for others.
During her summer internship at Rush Medical Center in 2021, she observed long lines outside local shelters each evening, inspiring her to step in one night to help serve dinner. This experience reignited her belief in food’s power to build connection, ultimately motivating her to create Hands Together to Feed Chicago.
Preparing large meals for shelters presents unique challenges, especially with limited ingredients. Poujade’s typical recipes, such as chicken drumsticks with rice and sweet potatoes, and oven-baked ribs, use simple nutritious ingredients available in bulk. Scaling recipes meant for small families to feed up to 80 people requires careful planning and teamwork. Fortunately, she relies on a close-knit team of 15 dedicated volunteers who not only assist with cooking and baking but also share recipe ideas and provide logistical support. For Poujade, this collaborative approach is essential. “We’re trying to solve a community problem, so we need a community solution,” she said.
One of Poujade’s most popular events is the monthly birthday celebration she hosts at Cornerstone Community Outreach. Recognizing that adults in shelters rarely get to celebrate their birthdays, she decided to create a special tradition complete with decorations and homemade cupcakes. In February 2024, she took her baking efforts citywide by organizing her first Valentine’s Day Bake-a-Thon. Partnering with five local bakeries, she coordinated the baking and delivery of over 1,400 treats to shelters across Chicago.
Now a student at Yale University, Poujade remains committed to her mission. Through Yale’s Community Kitchen, she and her peers have the opportunity to provide meals for people in need around New Haven, Connecticut. “I’ve met so many inspiring people who dedicate their lives to helping others,” Poujade said. “It’s not only made me a better leader, but a better person.”
As Hands Together to Feed Chicago continues to grow, Poujade aims to inspire others to make a difference in their own communities. She has shared her digital cookbook with shelters across the country and dreams of creating a national network of volunteers. “You’re capable of more than you think,” she said. “Believe in yourself, reach out, and things will fall into place.” Recently, Poujade was honored with the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, a national award celebrating inspiring young people across the United States and Canada.
AUTHOR
Nicolette Degrassi is a Boston based food and travel blogger. When she's not traveling the world, you can find her reading the latest Book of the Month novel or trying to perfect her sticky toffee pudding recipe. Follow her adventures on Instagram @nadegrassi.
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