Tonia Stigeler has been volunteering at Toni’s Kitchen every Saturday for about a year.  She’s a native of Montclair, and she says she wanted to give back to her hometown.  Fellow Toni’s Kitchen volunteer Mike Reitman told her about Toni’s.

In addition to working in the kitchen and on special events, Tonia is also doing a lot of work in the Toni’s Kitchen garden this season. The garden grows vegetables and herbs for use in the meals we prepare for our guests.

Tonia is working on getting her certification in horticultural therapy, which uses the activity of gardening for therapeutic purposes.  So working in Toni’s garden is a natural.

Tonia says she has never experienced anything like Toni’s Kitchen.  “It’s one of the kindest organizations I’ve seen,” she says.  “You feel like you’re home here.”

Tonia also likes to cook, and says that working at Toni’s has helped her own cooking at home.  “I learn something every time I come here.”

Whether it’s in the kitchen or in the garden, it’s all about giving back for Tonia.  “I like helping people,” she says.