Organization feeds local hungry

Mark Taylor understands the importance of feeding the hungry. Once a volunteer at the Monroe County Community Kitchen, he is now on the receiving end.\n"Some people would go hungry without these meals," said Taylor, who visits the kitchen two or three times a week. "They do some pretty amazing hard work here."\nTaylor said he comes to the kitchen because any extra money he has goes to repairing his old car, and because he knows that the food is healthier than buying a cheap hamburger at a fast-food restaurant. But most of all, he comes for the atmosphere and to see the friends he's made over the years. \n"It's just a nice place to come to; to talk and joke around," he said.\nThe Community Kitchen is a secular, nonprofit United Way organization that serves free dinners 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It shares a nondescript building on South Rogers Street with Martha's House, a homeless shelter. \nThe dining room's bright blue walls are welcoming and draw the diners together. There is room for 56 to sit, but people come and go, leaving the room half-full at any given time. Many patrons recognize one another, lots are friends and some wonder aloud about the newcomers. There is a sense of community here. Their friendly banter is irresistible; if it weren't for the food served cafeteria-style on brown trays or the lack of a cash register at the counter, one might mistake the ambiance for that of a downtown eatery. \nEach patron has a story to tell. Some are elderly and retired, and the money they use for medicine supersedes the need for food. Others once had jobs that went to Mexico and can't find work. Some have a modest house or apartment, and others call the shelter next door home. \nJoyce, who did not release her last name because of privacy, is a long-time patron of the kitchen and retiree whose bills don't leave much in her bank account for food.\n"You have house insurance, medical insurance, property taxes, medicine. ... There's lots to pay for," she said while eating a plateful of spaghetti, salad and rolls. She estimated that over half of the people who come in for dinner are elderly.\nWhatever the case, the Community Kitchen doesn't care.\n"We don't ask any questions," Pierce said.\nSince it began in 1983, the kitchen has had a "no questions asked" policy. There are no eligibility requirements to receive free meals. Pierce said they only ask each patron to sign in before getting a meal so they can record the number of people.\nAn express location is located on West 11th Street and serves carry-out meals only. Director Vicki Pierce said the main location serves about 100 people and the express kitchen serves 50-70 people each day.\nPerry Township provides the building at the Rogers Street location, and Bloomington Township provides the express facility. Pierce said the Community Kitchen receives various types of support, with a majority coming from individuals in the community alongside donations from area churches and government grant money. They also accept donations of food, although the majority of food is supplied by the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. \nOne of the organization's most vital resources is its volunteers. The Community Kitchen uses about 10 volunteers each day and two staffers who cook the food. Volunteers help prepare the meals, serve patrons and clean up. \n"They've always had really good staff here," Taylor said. "They genuinely care about people."\nMarc Abplanalp is both a volunteer and the vice president of the Community Kitchen Board. He comes with his church, Indianapolis Church of Christ, which plans to send a group each month. \n"It's a unique place that meets an essential need in the community," Abplanalp said, who began volunteering at the kitchen 10 years ago. He said it is spiritually fulfilling for him to help those who are hungry. \nFor patrons like Taylor, the generosity of others and the good food don't go unappreciated. His gratitude is apparent by the smiles that consume his face while talking about the Community Kitchen. When asked what his favorite meal is, Taylor just grinned.\n"Turkey," he said, beaming. "They do an awesome meal here on Thanksgiving."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Kelly Ginty at kginty@indiana.edu.