To the editor:

I attended the celebration last weekend honoring the founders of Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen 18 years ago with a plaque to be placed in a prominent place in the dining area or the kitchen made available without charge to LINK by the First Christian Church. The proclamation of our county commissioners was read honoring the vital efforts of LINK over many years and its numerous participants and volunteers, who have provided warm meals, and a place out of the cold where people are treated with respect and dignity.

Over these years it has been a life-saver for many of our citizens, and because hunger takes many forms, those here most isolated and lonely, many with mental illness, have also found a haven and sustaining meals and support for a few hours, four times a week, no questions asked. No screening or invasive forms or red tape: “The people who come are our guests.”

LINK celebrates the combined efforts of all of this community’s churches working together, and I was pleased to hear of the number of civic groups and youth groups who have added their strength and commitment to serving one meal a month and cleaning up afterward as well.

LINK is a tribute to what our churches and our community can do when they collaborate, bringing their resources, their energy and their dedicated efforts to bear on a community need. Would that we had even more such triumphs to celebrate.

Hilda Enoch,

Lawrence