Community Teaching Kitchen helps one patient build confidence and improve health

September 22, 2026 Providence Oregon News Team

Above: Marybeth views bread and fresh produce at the on-site food pantry at Providence Milwaukie Hospital's Community Teaching Kitchen.

September 2026

At Providence Milwaukie Hospital, the Community Teaching Kitchen is helping people gain the skills and confidence they need to make healthier choices and improve their well-being. Through nutrition education, hands-on cooking classes and personalized support, patients learn practical strategies they can use every day.

For Marybeth, the program became an important step in her health journey. After years of living with bulimia and chronic kidney disease, she turned to the Community Teaching Kitchen for guidance and support.

"I came here, and I was overweight," she says. "I had to lose 80 pounds, and I didn't have any idea of how I was going to do that."

Through one-on-one nutrition coaching and access to healthy foods, she learned how to prepare nutritious meals and make informed choices that fit her lifestyle. The experience helped her build confidence in the kitchen while creating habits that supported her long-term health.

"The information is amazing that I've gotten," Marybeth says. "I just tell everybody about this program."

By combining education, access to healthy food and compassionate guidance, our Community Teaching Kitchen empowers people to take an active role in their health and create meaningful, lasting change.

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