Katie Studebaker is the 2011 recipient of the Service to Mankind Award given by the Lawrence Sertoma Club.

Folks who are hungry or lonely have a place to go for food and companionship.

Others who need help going from homeless to housing can pick up appliances, bedding and other household items to get a fresh start.

And worshipers searching for ways to help, places to go and people to assist know they can always turn to a fellow member of the First Christian Church for answers and opportunities.

For all that — and more — the Lawrence Sertoma Club is presenting Katie Studebaker with its 2011 Service to Mankind Award.

“We want to recognize her for her service to those who are less fortunate in our community,” said Sandra Studley, chairwoman of Sertoma’s board of directors.

Studebaker will receive the award during a public reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Castle Tea Room, 1307 Mass.; friends, family and others interested in attending are asked to email valerie.walthall@usafunds.org.

Studebaker serves as president of the board of directors for LINK, the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen. The operation is located in the basement of the church, providing hot meals for more than 125 people four days a week, thanks to the generosity of 45 churches who donate food and provide volunteers.

“I love being involved with LINK, because I think there’s such a need in Lawrence,” Studebaker said. “Just the little bit that we can do helps a lot of people. And we see more children now than we have in the past. It breaks my heart, but I’m thankful we can provide some food for them.”

She’s also founder of her church’s food pantry, which helps more than 100 families, and the Helping Hands Closet that provides household items for free to people moving out of homelessness. Studebaker also serves as co-chair for outreach ministries at First Christian, 1000 Ky.

“The number of hours she puts in to help others is outstanding,” said Greg Moore, LINK coordinator, who nominated Studebaker for the award.

This is the first year that Sertoma has accepted nominations for the award from outside its membership.

“We went outside ourselves and it was great — a great opportunity to hear from people,” Studley said.