The Sunriver Women’s Club awarded $5,000 to the La Pine Community Kitchen in 2022. The grant funds are dedicated to providing hot meals and food boxes for people in need.
A long-time partner, the La Pine Community Kitchen has received more than $82,000 from the Sunriver Women's Club since 1999.
Founded in 1999, the La Pine Community Kitchen's mission is to feed people and reduce hunger in La Pine. Its core philosophy includes treating all community members with dignity. It is an inclusive organization where everyone is welcome.
LPCK has three primary programs:
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The Kitchen: Serves five free hot and delicious meals noon to 2 pm Monday thru Friday.
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The Produce Stand: Open Tuesdays and Fridays to distribute free produce, dairy products, bread, select grocery items and pet food, when available.
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The Closet: Provides free clothing, bedding, hygiene/cleaning items, sleeping bags and camping gear, when available.
In addition, staff members coordinate job training services with other agencies.
While feeding hungry people is its primary focus, the La Pine Community Kitchen volunteers and staff members do so much more to serve people in need.
General Manager Sharri Dempsey shared an inspiring story about a family that recently asked for assistance. A young mother and her 3- and 6-year-old children were living in their car due to difficult circumstances. Since connecting with the La Pine Community Kitchen, the family has had lunch every day at the center and picks up food boxes.
La Pine Community Kitchen volunteers and staff members helped provide clothing for the mother so she could apply for jobs.
Dempsey was happy to share that the woman now has a new job and lives in a modest home. “They are fed, warm and safe,” Dempsey said, as she held back tears.
Grant Writer Victoria Gardner said volunteers and staff members see successes every day when they provide meals to people who are facing food insecurities.
“We love seeing the smiles on people's faces as they pick up groceries and listening to the sounds of chatter in the dining room as neighbors enjoy a meal together and check in on each other,” Gardner said.
From Jan. 1 to July 31, 2022, La Pine Community Kitchen volunteers and staff members served 10,610 meals and provided 230,817 pounds of groceries. It supported about 3,800 regulars and 1,200 transients.
In 2022, about 80% of the individuals served were seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. The remaining 20% were families with children, individuals and those experiencing homelessness.
“Our client base is changing," Dempsey said. "We are now seeing more single families with little ones. Things are not easy out there for so many people.”
The La Pine Community Kitchen relies on volunteers, grants, donors and local organizations to achieve its mission. Without these services, many adults and children would go hungry in South Deschutes County.
Dempsey is grateful for the support of the SRWC and other local organizations that provide grants and donations.
“Without these funds, we could not provide the services we do,” Dempsey said.
