In 1984, 82 year old Mary McAnena helped a homeless woman in Hart Park, Orange, California. This was the beginning of Mary's Kitchen. 

Mary's home became the scene - volunteers helped with the cooking, transported the food to Hart Park and served the men, women and children who were homeless and in need.

In 1994 the Kitchen moved to 517 West Struck in Orange, California. In 1995 the St. Joseph Health System Foundation granted the Kitchen the funds to buy  modular buildings. Mary's Kitchen had a permanent home.

Mary's Kitchen is staffed 100% by volunteers and underwritten by private donations from individuals, churches, local corporations, grocery stores, caterers, students from local schools including Chapman University and others.

On average 100 people come to the Kitchen each day for breakfast, a hot meal, a bag lunch to go for dinner, hot showers, clean clothes and attention from caring volunteers who give them hope.

In December of 2003, Mary McAnena died at 100 years old.  She had served the homeless in Orange County for eighteen years. Her spirit of compassion and respect for human dignity continue to reign at Mary's Kitchen.