Organization History

Our organization began its journey of service more than 40 years ago, when servant leaders from the faith community 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. After establishing a secondary site in 2011 at 455 North 20th Street in the St. Dominic Parish Center (associated with St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church), CKI began serving two meals a day across both community dining centers. Moving into the 2012 year, CKI recognized the need to be intentional in creating meal experiences for families; this led to the agency’s engagement in summer feeding programming, responding to the summer nourishment needs of children who rely upon district-provided meals during the academic year. And while, through the years, 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 his/her need for food.

CKI 2022 Board members

Donald Dennis- Huntington Bank
Kathleen Dunn- Nationwide Children's Hospital
Murvin Enders- Chase Bank
Elaine Damo- Nationwide Children's Hospital
Jean Krum- Ohio Bureau of Worker's Comp. (Retired)
Mark Rendleman- 5/3 Bank
Joe Hull - Ernst & Young, LLP
Jenna Taylor - Godman Guild
Howard Apothaker- Rabbi, PH. D.
Robin Amicon - Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, LLP

The Staff

Della Smith - Kitchen Manager/640 S Ohio Ave Location
Markiesha Morris - Kitchen Assistant/640 S Ohio Ave Location
Tim Travis - Janitorial/640 S Ohio Ave Location
Marqueda Morris- Site Manager / 455N. 20th St.
John Back - Kitchen Help/ 455 N. 20th St.
Mj McCleskey- President/CEO
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