Ollie’s Kitchen Coming in 2026 to Gene Lucas Community Center

This is a press release from the ERV Community Center Foundation (Gene Lucas Community Center and NorCAN):

The Gene Lucas Community Center is thrilled to share the upcoming launch of Ollie’s Kitchen, a kids cooking program opening in 2026. Designed for ages 6 to 17, Ollie’s Kitchen will give young people the chance to learn how to cook healthy, delicious food while having fun and building life skills.

Classes will be offered at free or low cost, so everyone has a seat at the table. Each session will feature local ingredients, hands-on activities, and lessons that connect kids with the food grown and shared in our community.

Our first series will be in partnership with the North Coast Growers Association in early 2026, with more collaborations to follow throughout the year. These classes will bring together guest instructors, community chefs, and local food producers to create a fun and educational experience for young cooks.

Exciting news! We’ve received a $6,000 grant from the Humboldt Area Foundation and Wild Rivers Community Foundation to kick off this program!

Community support is key to helping Ollie’s Kitchen grow. Donations of any size help expand the number of free classes, bring in more local instructors, and provide ingredients and supplies for students.

Get involved!

· Donate or sponsor a class

· Collaborate as a local organization or business

· Teach or co-host a workshop

Contact [email protected] to learn more about how you can be part of Ollie’s Kitchen. Stay updated on upcoming classes and partnerships at www.glccenter.org or follow the Gene Lucas Community Center on social media.

About the Gene Lucas Community Center The Gene Lucas Community Center in Fortuna is operated by the ERV Community Center Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting people of all ages in the Eel River Valley in the pursuit of art, education, health, and wellness.