Mission Statement
Christ's Kitchen is a faith-based ecumenical program to provide lunch, sometimes breakfast and other food related support for our community. We accept donations of food,limited clothing & household items to help our guests.We started our mission in 2005, cooking soup on a hot plate and progressed to a full lunch program, serving on Monday through Friday. We open at 9 am and close at 2 p.m. We are supported financially by our community,our churches and collaboration with several other organizations in the community. We get most of our food from the Food Bank of the Rockies, & Sharing Ministries. We do purchase other food & cleaning items from our local vendors. Our volunteers come from churches, schools, senior organizations, & community businesses. We allow the court appointed restitution program candidates to fulfill their "hours" by volunteering at the Kitchen. We collaborate with Vista Charter School to allow students to fulfill the "work" part of their education. There is considerable record keeping and training involved in both, for which we receive no compensation.
We like to think of our place as being a Cheers, without the alcohol, a place where everybody knows your name! An extended family atmosphere where our staff and volunteers welcomes every one who comes for a warm meal.
Description
See the above description of who we are and what we are trying to accomplish.
We receive financial support from several foundations in Colorado- The Daniels Fund, Aschutz Foundation, El Pomar, and local support from the Altrusa Club, several banks, Montrose Community Foundation and a local car club.
Our guests held a bake sale and car wash for us this summer, and raised over $1000 to help with the cost of our operations.
Our expenses are minimal with one paid part time manager, who is keeping the meal cost to about $1/meal.
This does not include the cost of rent, utilities, and insurance.
In the summer we receive donations from our local community of eggs, vegetables and fruits as they come into their season.
Our Board and volunteers spend time each day, encouraging our guests and determining what needs they have, and how to support those needs.
