There is no greater feeling than to do good things for others and to work together for the good of the community and actually see the needle budge upward toward noticable improvement. It’s the little things we do that actually turn into big things over time. This is how I feel as I think of the work that went into making FEED Kitchens a reality.
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the opening of FEED Kitchens is a great time to reflect on a piece of its history. I served on the planning team for the building starting in 2009, so my story actually goes back 14 years. I had just joined the Northside Planning Council and Northside News staff and chose to get involved with the volunteer planning team. I recall sitting around the large oak table in Manna Cafe’s back room with the group as we discussed the great need for a commercial shared-use kitchen and the impact it would have on the dreams and livelihood of food entrepreneurs around the city and on the regional food system that was growing stronger every day.
FEED Kitchens team members came and went and the baton was passed from one team member to another, so it’s hard to name the people and count the number of hands actually involved in the effort. Records weren’t kept of who helped, because it didn’t matter to them if they received recognition. It was the end result that mattered. But each of you know who you are. There are only two of us left (shout out to Martee Mikalson) who are still working with the Northside Planning Council. I wasn’t in charge of the team, but as a leader during the 10th anniversary year, I want to show appreciation for your time. In the FEED entryway there’s a recognition wall with ceramic tiles listing donor names. I want to thank you for helping us build the facility. Somehow we thought that FEED would be financially self sustaining. But to be equitable and affordable, we still require donations. Please contact us at manager@feedkitchens.org if you want to make a donation. Afterall, it’s about sustainability.
