Organization Name: James 2 Community Kitchen
Contact Person: Bob Kean
Mailing Address : P.O. Box 1257
Dallas, OR. 97338
Address: 565 SE Lacreole Dr, Dallas, OR 97338
Telephone: (503) 7873371
E‐mail: [email protected]
Website: https://james2communitykitchen.org/
Number of employees (if any): 0 Number of volunteers (if any): 200
Names of Officers and
Directors:
Bob Kean Board Member
Steve Carter Board Member
Karen Hays Board Secretary/Treasurer
Summary of the Organization’s Mission and Description of Programs/Activities:
Inspired by the words presented in James 2 that stress the need for positive action with faith, the community kitchen has been providing meals since 2009. Our goal is to reduce the suffering of vulnerable people by helping alleviate food insecurity and social isolation, while
increasing self sufficiency and overall health. We serve meals at one locations weekly in Dallas: the Dallas United Methodist Church on Thursdays. We have added services to Falls City at the United Methodist Church with meals two times a month. In the year 2015, James 2 served meals for a total of 11,806 adults and 865 children at the two Dallas sites. James Community Kitchen has partnered with approximately 25 community organizations to serve families in Polk County. Some collaborative efforts have included:
working with Marion Polk Food Share to provide fresh produce (= approx. 150,000 pounds in 2015) to families in Dallas and Falls City every week;
working with Community Connect to serve 510 meals;
working with Dallas Family Night Out to serve 1,885 meals and to donate fresh, edible plant starts with educational pamphlets on safe handling and preparation;
working with the Polk County Service Integration teams to distribute relevant & time sensitive documents to help families acquire educational supplies and access to health insurance. In Kind Volunteer Hours: approximately 8,400 hours per year. Historically, Oregon has had one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the nation. Currently, it ranks third for the largest growth in food insecurity. Household food insecurity is a robust predictor of increased health care costs, independent of other social determinants of health. Over 14% of the population in Polk County experiences food insecurity. Increased health care costs can have a negative effect on the vitality of the whole community. James 2 Community Kitchen serves healthful meals to those who are experiencing food insecurity. The meals are free and available to all, without restrictions to income, education, race, religion, age, or gender. Our population consists of approximately 70% seniors at our Dallas
sites. We typically serve vulnerable families, persons with physical or mental disabilities, and those who are homeless. We partner with Marion Polk Food Share and other local businesses that donate food. Our dedicated volunteers are able to prepare meals for an average cost of $0.80 each. The result of James 2's efforts has been approximately 1200 meals served in Dallas and Falls City each month. These meals are prepared and served by approximately 200 dedicated volunteers that put in over 700 combined hours each month. Each location has loyal guests who
share rides and plan socializing events congruent with the meals. James 2 will continue to help people stretch their budgets, decreasing stress related to the cost and preparation of food. The effectiveness of our work will be measured by the number of meals served each week, and our continued ability to provide these meals for under $1.00 each cost to us.
