Sunday, January 6, 2008

It's Gonna Take a Miracle!

This is the kitchen at My Awesome Church. During World War II this kitchen served 3 meals a day to hundreds of GI's on leave in Hollywood. They would take their meals in our dining halls and sleep wall to wall in the Sunday school rooms. 

Today, this kitchen is used to prepare meals which are taken to AIDS patients awaiting treatment at 5P21 Clinic. Since 2002 this kitchen has been pressed into service each Tuesday to make 12o sack lunches for the homeless. Sadly though, in recent months the numbers have been climbing towards 140. 

This Christmas in conjunction with a local temple, 1,000 people received a free hot meal served from this kitchen.

Times have changed, but this kitchen hasn't changed at all. So, I have decided to pursue getting us  grants, donations, miracles even, to fix up this kitchen and enable it to live up to it's impressive legacy. 

We have the space, the man power and some equipment to expand our service to the homeless and needy. However, the layout is inefficient and even dangerous. We would really like to go "green" and serve meals exclusively on china. We have the dishes and the dishwasher, but they are stored in cabinets so high that it is impractical and unsafe for most of our volunteers. 

I would like to follow the example of my childhood church and expand our care to include laundry service for the homeless. Right now our members scour the circulars to buy socks and underwear to give out on Tuesdays. There is room in the kitchen for a row of industrial washing machines. Clean clothes would go a long way to improve the quality of life for these neighbors.

The ideas for improved missions are endless. Our resources seem to be limited, but I know that with faith all things are possible. So, here I go.

My first plan was to write to Tide. I am so impressed with this program and I am hoping I can get them to swing on by. We could host a washing day along with meals and maybe get a mobile health clinic to come by. This kind of corporate partnership would help us get other grants. So far, I haven't heard from them.

My next plan is to write to Nate. He is my favorite TV decorator. Wouldn't it be a joy to work with this cutie? He has done some miraculous makeovers and he has connections to other big companies. And, uh...Oprah.

Wish me luck!


4 comments:

Nutsy Coco said...

Good luck! I think it's fantastic what you're trying to accomplish for your church and your community. I wish I'd known about you both when I lived in LA!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! That's a huge undertaking. I'll keep you in my prayers and I look forward to some updates!

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

Wow...I am jealous of your Target Nirvana...but though your church's history is fabulous and how wonderful are the efforts???? Nice kitchen, too. Blessings on all your endeavors!

~ Jillian

Meredith said...

What an incredible challenge!

Kudos to you for getting it done.

Should you start a blog specifically for the project? It would be a great thing to attach to grant applications and media queries.

Especially if you could scan in some historical photos of the kitchen--or its recipients.