About Us
The Giving Kitchen Society is a nonprofit organization based in Calgary, Canada. We empower aspiring culinary entrepreneurs, promote shared meals in the community, and provide warm, no-cost bento lunches to individuals and families in need. We believe food is not just nourishment—it’s dignity, culture, and connection.
OUR STORY
Nelson Chan, founder of The Giving Kitchen Society, spent over 20 years in the field of construction surveying. One evening, while walking past a restaurant, he witnessed an elderly woman quietly gathering leftover food from diners’ plates and placing it into a plastic bag. It was a heartbreaking scene—one that struck him deeply and never left his mind.
In that moment, Nelson realized that poverty isn’t just about hunger—it’s about the lack of dignity, the absence of access, and something as basic as not even having a kitchen to cook in. Giving someone raw ingredients isn’t enough if they don’t have the tools to turn them into a meal.
That’s when he decided to create more than just a food program—he envisioned a giving kitchen. A place where meals are prepared with compassion, delivered with dignity, and offered to those who need them most. A kitchen that doesn’t just feed, but uplifts. A kitchen that also empowers new chefs to begin again, using food to restore hope, pride, and community.
THE KITCHEN THAT GIVES EVERYTHING
This is not just a kitchen—it’s a kitchen that gives everything.
We burn through every resource, every burner, every ounce of energy—just to make sure someone in need gets a hot, dignified meal.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Founder
Kin Wai Nelson Chan
Director
Fong Yu Fung (Fiona)
Director
Fong Lei Fung (Ida)
Nelson Chan
Mr. Nelson Chan is the founder of The Giving Kitchen Society, he has over 15 years of professional experience in construction project management and quantity surveying.
He held senior positions in top-tier construction firms in Hong Kong and was responsible for managing construction projects with budgets exceeding CAD 75 million, specializing in cost control, risk management, and contract negotiation.
After relocating to Canada, Nelson founded The Giving Kitchen Society, aiming to support newcomers, low-income families, and aspiring food entrepreneurs by combining his technical expertise with a strong community-driven mission.
As a devoted father and community advocate, he is currently developing multiple food-based community inclusion projects, including a shared kitchen incubator, warm bento delivery, school meal services, and cultural storytelling dinners.
His guiding belief is:
“Food is more than a meal — it’s dignity, culture, and connection.”
Ida Fung
Ms. Ida F founded "Double Sauce Curry" in Taiwan in 2016—a restaurant famous for its crispy pork and chicken cutlet curry rice. The restaurant was created to provide affordable,
comforting lunches for students, and quickly became a popular dining spot for the youth.
With a deep passion for volunteerism and community-building, Ida frequently organized cultural exchange initiatives and partnered with local and international restaurants. She worked closely with Japanese buyers to bring in authentic ingredients and equipment, and was also involved in machinery sales and leasing, supporting young entrepreneurs in Taiwan.
Previously, she contributed to sports development programs organized by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, promoting physical activity and youth development.
Her extensive cross-sector experiences—in food, culture, youth empowerment, and sports—align with the mission of The Giving Kitchen Society: care, inclusion, and empowerment.
WHO WE ARE
We are a collective of volunteers, aspiring chefs, and supporters who believe food can transform communities. The Giving Kitchen Society offers a shared space to help culinary dreams grow and serve every neighbor with dignity