Our Mission

Our mission is to bring hope by serving with compassion, feeding the mind and body, and being an impact through education.

Founder, Laquisha Jackson is a wife and mother of eight. She is the owner and operator of Soulful Kitchen LLC, a catering company serving the Michiana area. Laquisha Jackson, worked in the hospitality industry at each spectrum server, as well as a manager, for a total of 19 years. In May 2019 she graduated from Ivy tech community college with her associate degree in Hospitality Administration. Laquisha is a Servsafe Instructor and registered Proctor.

Laquisha takes great pleasure serving as the Hospitality leader at her church. She possesses a strong passion for helping families who suffer from food insecurities.

In 2020 Laquisha founded Hope for the Hungry which is a non-profit organization to help feed the hungry. It is Laquisha’s endeavors to bring hope by serving with compassion, feeding the mind and body, and being an impact through education.

Meet Our Board Members

LaQuisha Jackson

President

LaQuisha Jackson, a South Bend, Indiana native, is the owner and operator of Soulful Kitchen LLC, a catering company specializing in gourmet southern cuisine. Her passion for cooking began in childhood, leading her to pursue a professional culinary career. In May 2019, she earned an associate degree in Hospitality Administration from Ivy Tech Community College. LaQuisha has been recognized for her contributions to the community, including being named in the South Bend Tribune’s 2021 “40 Under 40” class. Beyond her catering business, Laquisha is deeply committed to addressing food insecurity in the Michiana area. In 2020, she founded “Hope for the Hungry,” a nonprofit organization dedicated to tackling hunger through food pantries, educational programs, and full-service food distribution. Her efforts have been acknowledged in various media outlets, highlighting her dedication to serving those in need. LaQuisha’s dedication to her community is further demonstrated through her role as a ServSafe Instructor and Registered Proctor, providing certification courses to help aspiring food enthusiasts and professionals advance their culinary careers. She also serves as the Hospitality Leader at her church, reflecting her commitment to service within the hospitality industry and her community. As a wife and mother of eight, LaQuisha balances her family life with her entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors, embodying a life dedicated to food, family, and community service.

Aleyna Mitchell

Director of Development and Community Outreach at El Campito Child Development Center

Aleyna Mitchell is the Director of Development and Community Outreach at El Campito Child Development Center. She holds degrees in Child Development and Spanish from Ball State University and has been a part of El Campito since beginning her internship there in 2015. Aleyna recently earned her Master’s in Leadership Development, with a concentration in Nonprofit Leadership, from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Passionate about serving her community, Aleyna brings her experience in nonprofit leadership, outreach, and development to this board, and looks forward to supporting Hope for the Hungry’s mission of addressing food insecurity while empowering individuals through education and resources. Outside of her professional life, Aleyna enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family.

Donna Johnson

Board Member

Donna M. Johnson is a compassionate and dedicated Social Work student with a deep commitment to community service and advocacy. She graduated cum laude from Ivy Tech Community College in May 2024 with an Associate of Science in Human Services-Social Work and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Indiana University South Bend (IUSB). Donna is certified in Peer Support Ethics/Recovery and ServSafe, equipping her with the skills to assist individuals facing various life challenges.

As an intern and now part-time employee at Imani Unidad Inc., Donna plays a pivotal role in client intake, resource distribution, and harm reduction efforts. She monitors and participates in group therapy sessions and administers Hepatitis C and HIV tests, both in-office and at off-site clinics. Donna is skilled in communication, advocacy, supervision, and schedule management, making her an effective leader and supporter in the social services field.

Beyond her professional and academic endeavors, Donna is actively involved in her community. She has served as a board member of Hope for the Hungry since 2020, where she manages monthly food giveaways to address food insecurity. At her local church, Kingdom Life Christian Cathedral, Donna is a Deaconess, contributing to the church’s food pantry and clothing closet ministries. Her unwavering commitment to helping others drives her passion for social work and community outreach.

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