About Us overview
Today, with the support of dedicated volunteers and interns and in close coordination with community partners, Mary’s Kitchen provides families and individuals experiencing food insecurity throughout Orange County with nutritious, rescued food each month.
Through a combination of food recovery, direct distribution, and mobile access, Mary’s Kitchen works to reduce hunger while promoting dignity, choice, and environmental responsibility.
Through a combination of food recovery, direct distribution, and mobile access, Mary’s Kitchen works to reduce hunger while promoting dignity, choice, and environmental responsibility.
Volunteers Get it Done
- part one -
The Pantry
Our pantry operations rely on volunteers who sort, prepare, and organize rescued food for distribution—ensuring that high-quality food reaches families who need it most.
Volunteers Get it Done
- part two -
The Mobile Pop-Up
Volunteers also power our farmer’s-market-style Mobile Pop-Up Food Pantry, which brings free groceries directly into underserved communities and overcomes transportation barriers.
Meet Gary & His Peeps
- behind the scenes -
The Film Crew
Through documentation and storytelling, our volunteers help capture the people, partnerships, and care that make this work possible.
About Us our founder
Meet Mary McAnena
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Born in 1903 in County Roscommon, Ireland, Mary McAnena immigrated to the United States at age 18 to study nursing. After settling in New York and dedicating her life to caring for others, Mary eventually retired and moved to Orange, California.
In 1985, a chance encounter with a homeless woman sparked a new chapter in Mary’s life. At age 82, she discovered a renewed sense of purpose—feeding people experiencing food insecurity full time. Soon after, she founded Mary’s Kitchen as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
In 1985, a chance encounter with a homeless woman sparked a new chapter in Mary’s life. At age 82, she discovered a renewed sense of purpose—feeding people experiencing food insecurity full time. Soon after, she founded Mary’s Kitchen as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
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Mary worked at the kitchen until her final days, leading by example and caring for others until they could care for themselves. In 2003, shortly before her passing at the age of 100 years and 9 months, Mary received the prestigious Albert Schweitzer Award of Excellence.
From its earliest days, Mary brought together community leaders, city and county representatives, business partners, and nonprofit advocates to build a strong board of directors. Her vision and leadership established Mary’s Kitchen as a place known not only for nourishment, but for care, dignity, and community—a reputation that endures to this day. In 1988, Mary invited Gloria to help lead Mary’s Kitchen.
From its earliest days, Mary brought together community leaders, city and county representatives, business partners, and nonprofit advocates to build a strong board of directors. Her vision and leadership established Mary’s Kitchen as a place known not only for nourishment, but for care, dignity, and community—a reputation that endures to this day. In 1988, Mary invited Gloria to help lead Mary’s Kitchen.
About Us our leadership
Meet Gloria I. Suess
After graduating from the University of North Dakota in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Political Science, Gloria I. Suess moved to California, where she later built a successful career in real estate. Through her professional work, Gloria developed a wide network of community relationships—one of which led her to Mary McAnena.
Following Mary’s passing in 2003, Gloria assumed the roles of President and CEO, guiding the organization through decades of growth and change.
Under Gloria’s leadership, Mary’s Kitchen expanded its reach across Orange County, evolving from a small soup kitchen into a critical food access provider serving thousands of families and individuals each month.
In 2022, Gloria led the organization through its relocation to Anaheim, California and re-imagined its role as a food recovery and mobile food access provider.
Today, Mary’s Kitchen operates a robust food rescue and Mobile Pop-Up Pantry program, while also ensuring that expired food is responsibly managed through bio-waste recycling. Gloria’s strategic vision has strengthened partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, amplifying the organization’s impact.
Through decades of service, Gloria I. Suess continues to ensure that Mary’s Kitchen remains a trusted, mission-driven organization and a beacon of hope for communities across Southern California.
Today, Mary’s Kitchen operates a robust food rescue and Mobile Pop-Up Pantry program, while also ensuring that expired food is responsibly managed through bio-waste recycling. Gloria’s strategic vision has strengthened partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, amplifying the organization’s impact.
Through decades of service, Gloria I. Suess continues to ensure that Mary’s Kitchen remains a trusted, mission-driven organization and a beacon of hope for communities across Southern California.
Meet the Board of Directors
MaryBeth Gram
Treasurer
Carla Chun
Member
Peggy Wilson
Secretary
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Rev. Dr. Dayna KinkadeMember
Louie Ruhl
Member
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Matt McAnenaGreat Grand Son of the founder
With support from the Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, Mary's Kitchen MKP isone of three nonprofit organizations that form the Community Food Support Coalition, OC.
Three Nonprofits, One Mission