Gracie Preache, a lifetime resident of Nassau County, moved back to Fernandina Beach in 1985 to manage the family grocery store after her father’s passing. She managed Murray’s Grocery store for many years and by nature was always willing to help those in need. As a longtime member of the Memorial United Methodist Church, Gracie served in many communities and was involved in overseas missionary work. While she was volunteering at the Salvation Army Hope House in Fernandina Beach, she recognized a need to extend the food ministry to the Yulee area and helped establish Gracie’s Kitchen.

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The Interfaith Dinner Network had been formed to provide meals to those in need in the Fernandina Beach area. However, there was no organization regularly providing meals for the food insecure or homeless population in Yulee and surrounding areas. Gracie, along with Maryellen Crocker, John Gilbert, and Larry Wood recognized the need and worked tirelessly to establish Gracie’s Kitchen.

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The Nassau County School Board graciously permitted Gracie’s Kitchen to use the vacant, retired Yulee Middle School building for the kitchen and meal service. Gracie and her team recruited volunteers from nearby churches. Together, they collected dishes, kitchen appliances and a refrigerator. Desks were moved out of the classrooms and islands were added in the kitchen for work space. The kitchen and an adjoining classroom were cleared out and repurposed into a functional cooking space and dining room.

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Gracie’s Kitchen officially opened on September 7, 2010 and served 7 meals that night. Gracie Preache passed away several years ago, but Maryellen Crocker continues to carry on her friend’s dream “to nourish the hungry and feed their spirit.” Presently, Gracie’s Kitchen serves over 3,500 meals per month to anyone who is hungry - single mothers, families, senior citizens, military veterans, the homeless, and the poor working class of Nassau county.