OUr History

Our organization, Community Kitchen Incorporation began its journey of service more than 40 years ago. Servant leaders from the Faith Community church came together with a group of dedicated volunteers, to engage in outreach to those in need. The mission was simple: to feed and care for the hungry. And so, a soup kitchen came into existence to allow the most vulnerable of community members to have the most basic of their needs met. During its early years, the soup kitchen served a hot lunch five days a week at one location. Since its inception, our organization has operated out of its primary site at 640 South Ohio Avenue in the St. John Community Center (associated with The Community of Holy Rosary-St. John Catholic Church). In 1985, the agency incorporated as a 501 (c)(3), forming its own Board of Trustees and identifying an Executive Director. CKI began serving two meals a day. Moving into the year 2012, CKI recognized the need to be intentional in creating meal experiences for families. This led to the agency’s engagement in a summer food program, responding to the summer nourishment needs of children who rely upon district-provided meals during the academic year. And through the years while aspects of our operations have grown and evolved in response to pervasiveness of need and changing community dynamics, CKI has remained steadfast in its commitment to a ‘no questions asked’ policy. Thereby ensuring that no client is ever required to explain the anatomy of their distress or to justify their need for food.

CKI Staff memebers

Della Smith - Kitchen Manager
Khadija Cox - Kitchen Assistant
John Back - Kitchen Aide
​Tim Travis - Janitorial
Alison Gaiters- Office Assistant
Natajsia Muldrow-Shaw -Executive Director Assistant
Mj McCleskey- President/CEO
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Cki 2023 B0ard of trustees

Donald Dennis- Huntington Bank (CKI Board Chair)
Kathleen Dunn- Nationwide Children's Hospital (CKI Board Vice Chair)
Murvin Enders- Chase Bank (CKI Board Treasurer)
Elaine Damo- Nationwide Children's Hospital (CKI Board Secretary)
Jean Krum- Ohio Bureau of Worker's Comp. (Retired)
Mark Rendleman- 5th/3rd Bank
Joe Hull - Ernst & Young, LLP
Jenna Taylor 
Howard Apothaker- Rabbi, PH. D.
Robin Amicon - Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, LLP
Kelly Sparks -CareSource
Jeanne Rocco- Nationwide Children's Hospital (Retired)