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Origin Stories: Chef Ken VanBruggen

Community service led to a career of serving the community

Video by Chris Peterson

Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, Kenneth VanBruggen was invited to Arizona by his mom to get a fresh start. He had to complete some required community service and chose to get a start on them at St. Vincent de Paul's Central Kitchen.

He liked it so much, that he continued to come to volunteer, eventually got a job washing dishes, and worked his way up to chef! Now he helps oversee the production of 7,000 meals that nourish families and individuals experiencing homelessness every single day. 

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