01/15/2026
We are coming full circle...and grateful for the journey!!!
This all started in November 2014 when we, Norman and Tiffinnie, started the “Love Lunch” along with the late Ms. Riggs, a few friends, and students. We rented the cafeteria where he worked and asked a few people to donate and cook some food. We took our own money and rented a 15-passenger van to pick up people from Camden; bring them out of the cold for a nice hot sit-down meal. Norm made 3 trips because everyone couldn’t fit.
Each guest was asked what they wanted to eat, based on what we had. The menu included all the fixings of a Thanksgiving meal. The students were asked to serve each person there; be polite and get to know the person if they were willing to talk. The plates were made for them and brought to them at the table. Refills on juice, water and even a 2nd plate once everyone was served, was no problem.
Why did it matter? A few months before, Norman saw a person standing in line getting food at an outreach event. The person told the server they didn’t eat a particular type of food so they didn’t want it. The server told the person they should be grateful and just take what was being given. The person felt belittled and that was day Norman said we wanted to do something different. He never wanted a person to ever be treated that way again.
This wasn’t just a good thing for the guest, but the students learned that people are people no matter where they may be in life. We go through hard times but it doesn’t make them bad people. They felt compassion and grateful for the lives they have and also helping someone in need. That next year those students and many more couldn’t wait for the Love Lunch.
Over the next 3 years Norm would drive to Camden, Atlantic City and stops along the way. The school took hold of the vision and became a partner. Now there are more volunteers, more food and even clothes and toiletries. There were some amazing stories of guests just needed to feel human and respected. It was a turning point for one man who was promised sneakers and a coat and Norm delivered because of the generosity of others. Another received a needed suit for an upcoming interview. We would learn that next year, he got the job and returned with some donations of his own.
The Love Lunch continued to grow and community started to step in, donating chartered buses, and funds for food. We had more clothing, Christmas gifts and had the pleasure of serving nearly 200 plus people. Times for many were difficult so it was open to anyone who could use the assistance.
Although 2020 put a hold on the normal Love Lunch, we still along with the school and community served meals in drive-up fashion. We eventually gave the event over to the school as a community project.
Because our desire to do this didn’t go away, as part of Kings Way International, Inc. “Feeding With Love” was borne. A hot sit-down meal served to people in need. Some people are in need of kindness, humanity, and love. We are here to serve that up along with the meal. We are grateful for the partnerships and participation. We look forward to growing but more than that we are looking forward to making our guest feel like they matter because they do!
