Carol's Kitchen

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Sister Judine is sharing about her volunteer ministry

at Carol's Kitchen in California 

Carol's Kitchen is named in memory of Carol Ragan. In 1996, a drunk driver tragically struck and killed Carol. The last words in her private journal were, "ask your heart what is right and follow it." Carols' parents, James and Arlene Ragan, founded Carol's Kitchen in 1998.

Carol's Kitchen became a reality and opened on April 21, 1998. On that first day, 34 meals were served to hungry men, women and children. Ten years later, we have provided over 500,00 meals to guests of Carol's Kitchen. This has been accomplished thanks to hundreds of donors and thousands of volunteer hours from community minded people.   During Christmas, we at Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Parish had a Christmas party for our guests. We wrapped over 300 packages for the children. Many of the gifts were donated by local vendors. The day was well organized. The packages were labeled for each age from 0-6 months to 14 years; the gifts were also labeled for boy or girl. We, the volunteers,  could not have done all this wrapping without the help from volunteers from the senior class of the local high school. As we were finishing the gifts, other volunteers prepared the hot meal for our guests. Hot meals are served Monday through Friday at different sites throughout our local areas. The struggles borne by everyone during these tough economic times has seen us feeding 40% more people than we did a year ago. It is our good fortune that the ongoing dedication and assistance from our community partners, volunteers and board of directors will continue to make certain that those who are hungry, will always have a hot meal at Carol's Kitchen. Each day before the volunteers serve our guests, we stand in a circle hold hands and pray for our personal needs as well as the needs of the world. This is followed by all saying the Our Father together, and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. We are of many different faiths but one purpose to be ambassadors to our neighbor. We also provide clothing to the needy men, women and children on Monday and Thursday at Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Parish. Meals are served these two days as well. A hot lunch is served at an outlying area named Cabazon on Monday as well. On Tuesday and Friday, a hot meal is served at the community center in Banning. On Wednesday, a hot meal is served at the Presbyterian Church in Beaumont. If you would like more information about Carol's Kitchen please visit our website at www.carolskitcheninc.org or call Jim McConnell at (951) 845-9202

"Ask your heart what is right and follow it"