About us

The people, the story, and the heart behind Nourish & Knowledge.

Who we are

It started at a kitchen table

Nourish & Knowledge started around a single kitchen table, with a handful of neighbors who noticed that folks nearby were going hungry, and had nowhere to belong. So we started cooking, and we started sharing what we knew. People kept showing up, and we never stopped.

Today we’re a small but mighty crew of volunteers, cooks, teachers, and friends who simply like taking care of people. There’s no fancy secret to what we do: just good food, open hearts, and the belief that everyone deserves both.

What we stand for

What makes us us

A few things you can always count on when you’re with us.

Come as you are

No forms, no judgment, no hoops. If you’re here, you’re welcome.

Rooted local

We’re built by and for this community, the people next door.

Powered by heart

Every meal and lesson is made possible by neighbors who care.

Meet the team

A small group of neighbors doing what they love, taking care of people.

Founder & CEO

Catherine Liu

Catherine started Nourish & Knowledge to fight hunger and support K–12 students and their families. She grew up around a kitchen table that was always open, and built this organization to share that same warmth with her community.

Co-Founder

Yiru Zhang

Yiru co-founded Nourish & Knowledge to tackle food insecurity and support underserved communities. She’s driven by a simple belief: every student and family deserves access to the resources they need to thrive.

Director of Operations

Caren Ye

Caren keeps everything running smoothly. She builds the systems that help our meals and resources reach more families, always with dignity and care at the center of it all.

Chief Technology Officer

Austin Xu

Austin leads all things technical. He builds and maintains our website and software, keeps our digital tools running reliably, and makes sure the technology behind our mission just works, so the rest of the team can focus on the community.

We’d love to know you

New faces are our favorite kind. Reach out, stop by, or lend a hand whenever you’re ready.