LINK WAS BORN IN 1985!
LINK WAS BORN IN 1985!
The Lawrence Interdenominational Kitchen opened in Lawrence, Kansas in the basement of St. John’s Catholic Church on February 14, 1985, serving 6 people.
LINK was the brainchild of Ethel Williamson, a retired social worker from New York City and Father Michael Hermes, a volunteer with the archdiocese of Kansas City.
After a 1984 study on hunger in Douglas County by the League of Women Voters and the Council on Community Services and encouragement from the Emergency Services Council, Williamson and Hermes were told to “Go for it.”
“If somebody is hungry they can get a hot meal, and also if somebody is lonely, they can get companionship,” said Williamson. “Churches and organizations will adopt a day and they’ll supply workers and the food,” said Hermes.
“We want to link different segments or our community together,” added Hermes.
According to Betty Dutton, “The idea was to just to bring everybody together and just share, no questions asked. There may be people who come to the new soup kitchen who have food in their refrigerators but just want company.”
Today, volunteers serve lunch four times a week, serving an average of 400 meals per week.
THANK YOU TO THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE WHO REGULARLY PROVIDE MEALS AND SERVICE AT LINK. WE DEPEND ON YOU FOR 77% OF OUR TOTAL EFFORT TO SERVE A HOT MEAL TO THOSE IN NEED!
LUNCH IS SERVED! TUES., THUR., SAT., SUN. @ 1 P.M.
Serving groups: (food prep and serve)
15 congregations
1 mother/daughter group (National Charity League)
3 groups of friends
2 extended families
FSHS key club
1 Scout troop
2 Businesses
1 baseball team
1 Civic organization
Other Regular Volunteers
Douglas County Courts Community Service
Oxford House
Cleaning groups
Darrell’s Helpers
Thanksgiving meal prep and drivers
Our great board of directors
AT L.I.N.K. EVERYONE EATS. NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
LUNCH IS SERVED! TUES., THUR., SAT., SUN. @ 1 P.M.
From Amy Carlson, LINK board member: Earlier this fall, I was contacted by a member of St.Margaret's Episcopal Church, who said that LINK was selected for their Pantry Power campaign. All I needed to do was let him know 5 wish list items that we use at LINK. Wow! How easy is that? And, within ...
From Anne Emert, LINK board member: At Link every child of God, can find a warm meal in a secure environment, no questions asked: I noticed a man come through the lunch line at LINK who struggled with blindness. He held my arm as we walked through the serving line. I described the food options ...
From Amy Carlson, LINK board member: Once a week I pick up the recycling at LINK. There is always someone ready to help me, which turns 8 trips up and down the stairs to less than 4. One day when I was taking the last of the recycleout to the van, a helper, who also eats ...
$2.28 for a nutritious meal ..What a deal!...Consider supporting LINK today!
Time is one of our most precious gifts. Will you consider giving yours by volunteering at L.I.N.K.?
Get your meal team together and find out how to serve lunch at L.I.N.K.
Do you have a voice and want to use it to make a difference? Know your community! Share about LINK and friend us on social media.
One of the most notable aspects of LINK is the attitude of the people that make it work. They are kind and caring and not the least bit condescending. They are inclined to be far more enriched than the visitors.
Our MISSION is simple: to feed people regardless of their circumstances.
Together with our network of volunteers and community, L.I.N.K provides healthy and nutritious meals to all who come through our doors.
We are committed to improving the quality of life and honoring the dignity of those we serve when serving a hot meal to any member of our community who wants one.
2024 – a busy year! Meals, Volunteers, and Guests
Thanks to the kindness and generosity of our community, our guests have meals they can count on 4 times a week.
VOLUNTEERS ARE OUR LIFE-LINE
See how you can partner with L.I.N.K. to serve lunch in our community. You are the change that you want to see in this world!
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