Family Kitchen stepping up, not closing down

Bend’s Family Kitchen, which serves free meals, is hearing from people who think they are closing — but they are not part of Bend’s Community Center, and in fact are considering expanding food services to support those affected by BCC’s impending closure.

“We were surprised and saddened by Bend’s Community Center’s decision to suspend operations,” said Randy Heise, director of development and marketing at Bend’s Family Kitchen.

“Unfortunately, this is a difficult time for non-profits,” Heise said. “Our community has benefited greatly from the services that BCC has provided.

“The loss of Common Table in the last month and BCC will negatively impact a population that desperately needs the services those organizations provided.” Heise went on to say.

Since BCC’s announcement on Saturday, Family Kitchen’s board of trustees, staff and the vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church under whose umbrella Family Kitchen operates say they have been actively engaged in looking for ways to expand food service to include those previously served by BCC and Common Table.

While all possibilities will be explored over the next several weeks, Heise said he feels that the most viable solutions will involve an increase in services at Family Kitchen’s current location at 231 NW Idaho Avenue in Bend.

“In the meantime,” Heise says, “Family Kitchen wants our community to know that we are serving hot meals six days a week.

“Lunches are served Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm and Saturday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Dinners are served Tuesdays and Thursdays and the last Friday of the month from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. We serve any and all who need a nutritious meal in a safe and caring environment.”

Family Kitchen has been serving the nutritional needs of the hungry in Bend for the last 26 years. They are currently serving over 4,500 meals per month and will serve over 50,000 meals in 2012. They also provide “bag lunches” to Central Oregon Veterans Outreach for delivery to area homeless camps.

If you are interested in donating to, or volunteering at Family Kitchen, please contact them at 541-382-5542.