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Helping folks at home: Community Kitchen fundraisers aim to help those most in need

By: Susan Pierce
(Contact)

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Jack Riggar

With concerns about the economy on everyone’s minds, it’s a tough time for nonprofit fundraising.

That’s especially true for the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, which receives neither government nor United Way funding and is totally dependent on donations, said Jack Riggar, fundraising coordinator for the Community Kitchen.

The Community Kitchen kicked off its annual Fast Day campaign recently with a goal of $550,000. Those unrestricted funds are essential to keeping the kitchen running, covering operating expenses such as staff, food and utilities, Mr. Riggar said.

The kitchen is conducting a $1.45 million capital campaign, which is funding the renovation of the agency’s property on East 11th Street; 17,000 square feet inside the current location will be remodeled to expand and improve services for the homeless.

“As the economy shows uncertainty, we’re reminded of just how important it is to focus our efforts right here at home,” said Russell Friberg, co-chairman of Fast Day with wife Linda. “The condition of homelessness is a serious and desperate situation, one that can affect individuals of every background, especially when times get tough.

“The kitchen is so much more than feeding the homeless,” Mrs. Friberg said. “I don’t know that people realize that, but it offers employment services, case management, day care, transitional housing and medical respite.”

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