La Pine Community Kitchen receives $7,500 grant

On Jan. 9, La Pine Community Kitchen received a $7,500 grant from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation at an awards ceremony held at the Seven Feathers Convention Center in Canyonville.

A total of $496,550 was presented to 73 nonprofits in seven counties. Deschutes County received $86,000 for 13 nonprofits.

Executive Director Stacie Derhak and Board Member Bea Leach Hatler attended the awards ceremony on behalf of the organization.

This was Stacie’s first opportunity to attend a grant ceremony for nonprofits. She tells us it was very moving to see the number of nonprofit groups and to hear their stories of the work they perform in their communities.

She said, “I am honored to be included at the awards ceremony alongside these great organizations that are helping people in need every day and knowing the need continues to grow.”

La Pine Community Kitchen will use the grant toward the hot meals program, which is served five days a week. In 2018, the kitchen served approximately 15, 561 hot meals. In additional to weekday hot lunches, there is also a produce stand and closet available to clients on Tuesdays and Fridays.

La Pine Community Kitchen offers a welcoming safe place with an atmosphere of respect and dignity for everybody in the community.