Refill with Randy – OK Kitchen provides needed food and fellowship

By Randy LeBaron

Good morning! Grab your favorite cup. Fill it up. And let’s start this day right… TOGETHER!!!

Let me start by saying how much I appreciated all of the shares and feedback over the past couple of weeks in regard to Risen Café’s “Pay It Forward” Program for feeding the homeless. I hope you will be just as supportive this week as I share about another fantastic ministry that feeds many here in Orleans County.

I am of course talking about the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen (OK Kitchen) which sets up every Thursday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Harvest Christian Fellowship Dining Hall located at 560 East Ave. in Albion. I first met the director, Faith Smith, years ago when she ran the Community Kitchen, a soup kitchen that my church at the time participated in, and so I was excited to sit down with her and her husband Mike to hear about the fruitfulness of their latest endeavor.

First off, for those who are not familiar with the Greek word Koinonia it is a term that describes fellowship, community, and intimacy. When asked what the word Koinonia meant to her, Faith simply looked around the dining hall where people had started filling up the tables and responded “This!” and by “this” Faith explained that the vision for the OK Kitchen was not simply to be a soup kitchen to feed the poor but rather a place that anyone from any walk of life could gather with others and experience authentic community. The hope is that when people leave both their stomachs and their souls will be full.

Also, for those who cannot physically get to the OK Kitchen, they have recruited volunteers to help pick people up or to deliver meals to them where they are. These meals include take-outs, frozen dinners, and even “Homeless Care” bags which are actually backpacks filled with personal care items, food, first aid kits, blankets, water, pen & paper, etc. They have also partnered with Risen Café (469 E. State St. Albion) to allow people to pick up a bag there or to get a meal there that the OK Kitchen will pay for. The goal is to help anyone that is in need to receive 5 days of food.

With a “No Questions Asked” policy and a warm greeting for all who stop by it’s no surprise to find out that last year 24,184 meals were given away. And if that sounds like a lot, it is! Thankfully though this is not a solo effort by Faith and Mike. Several groups from churches and local organizations sign up to provide food, and servers if possible, for one or more Thursdays out of the year. Some, like the Albion and Medina Lion’s Clubs, provide food every first Thursday of the month. Also, since the food is already taken care of, those first Thursdays are ideal for any individuals who would like to sign up to serve. On the evening that I was there a group from Oak Orchard Assembly of God both provided and served the meal. The church also filled a table with clothes that anyone could take, and other groups provide similar giveaways on their days.

Both Mike & Faith’s enthusiasm for the ministry and their caring for those being served was evident, as was the camaraderie of the patrons and the joy of those volunteering. When asked what their biggest take away from 2023 was the Smiths quickly responded that they were overwhelmed by the amount of love and support that they had received not only from the local community but from all around Orleans County as well.

Lastly, I asked what the biggest needs were for 2024 and the answer was funding and transportation. Last year OK Kitchen received $37,534.90 in donations but are anticipating the need for more this coming year, especially as the cost of all the paper-ware, take-out containers, silverware, etc. continues to rise. I was reminded of the children’s story “Stone Soup” as Faith shared how if the 60-plus churches in the area committed to give only $25 a month it would make a huge impact. How much more of an impact could be made if individuals, businesses, and organizations committed similarly? There is also a great need for volunteers who can deliver meals or, preferably, pick people up and bring them to the Kitchen so that they can truly experience the sense of community that has been developed there.

I am grateful for all of the outdoor fridges, food, pantries, and food distribution sites that we have here in our County and hope you will support any and all as you are able.  If you would like to volunteer to provide and/or serve a meal, make a donation, or help with the transportation needs at Orleans Koinonia Kitchen, please contact Faith Smith at (585) 319-1578 or by e-mail at Okkitchen2022@gmail.com  You won’t regret it!