Durham Alliance Outreach’s Community Kitchen project has grown from an early fundraising vision into a phased infrastructure project designed to expand what we can offer our community. The project is moving forward in three phases, allowing DAO to build the kitchen responsibly while continuing our day-to-day programs.
When we first shared this project, our goal was to create a kitchen that could strengthen food support, community programming, education and connection at the DAO Hub. Since then, the project has evolved significantly, and we are excited to share the progress.
Phase 1 is complete. This phase focused on the essential infrastructure needed to support the future kitchen, including upgrades to hydro, water and gas. Completing this work created the foundation required for the next stages of the project.
We are now working on Phase 2: the cold kitchen. This stage is focused on creating a functional space where DAO can begin making and preparing appropriate food items without the full hot-kitchen infrastructure.
Moving into production through the cold kitchen is an important milestone. Rather than waiting until the entire project is complete, the phased approach allows us to begin using the space and building capacity while work continues toward the larger vision.
Phase 3 has not yet started. Our current goal is to move into the hot-kitchen phase in late 2027. This stage will complete the larger kitchen vision and expand the types of food preparation, programming and community activities the space can support.
The Community Kitchen is about more than construction. It is part of DAO’s long-term effort to strengthen food security, build practical community capacity and create more opportunities for people to connect, learn and participate.
The project also complements DAO Market, Durham Region’s only 2SLGBTQIA+ food bank. DAO Market provides choice-based food support in partnership with Feed the Need in Durham, and the Community Kitchen creates opportunities to build on that work in new ways.
The original kitchen fundraiser was launched when DAO Pantry and the Durham Alliance Association Social Club operated as separate organizations working together. Since then, our organization has changed significantly: the food program has evolved into DAO Market, and Club 717 and Pride Durham now operate as programs of Durham Alliance Outreach.
Our kitchen plans have evolved too. Breaking the project into three phases gives us a clearer path forward and lets each stage build on the infrastructure completed before it.
Community support remains important as we continue Phase 2 and plan for Phase 3. Financial donations help DAO respond to project costs while also sustaining the charitable programs and services our community relies on.
Donate to Durham Alliance Outreach: durhamallianceoutreach.org/donate
Learn more about DAO: durhamallianceoutreach.org/about-us
Businesses, funders and community partners interested in supporting the Community Kitchen can also connect with Durham Alliance Outreach to discuss partnership opportunities.
With the utilities upgrade complete, our focus is on getting the cold kitchen operational and beginning production through Phase 2. From there, we will continue planning and fundraising toward the hot kitchen, with a current target of late 2027.
What began as an ambitious idea is becoming a real piece of community infrastructure. Thank you to everyone who has donated, volunteered, partnered with us or helped move the DAO Community Kitchen forward.