The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
LENDING A HAND
City school district faculty, staff coordinate donation to Karing Kitchen
ONEIDA, N. Y. » The Oneida City School District ( OCSD) has rallied together to support local soup kitchen, the Karing Kitchen, with a generous donation this holiday season.
Faculty and staff from all district- schools were asked to make a donation, big or small, to the nonprofit in lieu of a student- focused canned- food drive the Oneida High School Student Council usually coordinates every year.
“With all of the uncertainties of this year, we were not sure if a can- drive would work. In order to still help families in need, I am reaching out for your help,” wrote Oneida High School ( OHS) Special Education Teacher and Student Council Advisor Chrismeeker in a letter to all faculty and staff.
Meeker told the Dispatch that in the past few years since he and fellow OHS Special Education Teacher and Student Council Advisor Shane Collins took over student council, the Oneida High School’s can- drive averaged approximately 1,500 cans of food for the Karing Kitchen each time.
Without a lot of kids anda lot of cans due to COVID- 19 restrictions, the district had to think outside the box to make an impact. Direct money donations was the way to go.
“We extended [ the effort] to the entire district because we wanted to make sure we had enough to donate, as we know how much the Karing Kitchen does for our community,” Meeker said.
OCSD faculty/ staff also get the chance todonate separately on dress- down day, a day when casual attire is permitted with donations, which go to various organizations each month. A re
“Withal loft he uncertainties of this year, we were not sure if a can- drive would work. In order to still help families in need, I am reaching out for your help.”
— Oneida High School ( OHS) Special Education Teacher and Student Council Advisor Chris Meeker in a letter to all faculty and staff
cent December dress- down day’s contributions were included towards the Karing Kitchen’s total.
When all was said and done, the faculty and staff raised $ 1,916 for the Karing Kitchen, whichwas collected, tallied, and gifted to the organization last week.
“The money is going directly to purchase food that we’re giving out here for Christmas,” said Karing Kitchen Program Coordinator Melissa King.
“We were extremely happy with the success of the donation, and the Karing Kitchen was very thankful as they are currently assisting over 500 families,” Meeker said.
Typically, the class that donates the most during the annual can- drive is provided breakfast by the principal before leaving for Christmas break, Meeker said.
This year, in the spirit of the tradition, each school’s donations were totaled and divided by the number of staff/ faculty to determine which school raised the most. Durhamville Elementary was determined the winner of the friendly contest and was rewarded with cookies from Hipstir Cafe.
This is just the beginning, Meeker said. The hope is to expand this charitable effort next year to include the students and perhaps even neighboring schools.
Meeker hopes the OCSD’S donation will inspire others to lend a hand in their community. Those looking to support the Karing Kitchen, in particular, have options to choose from.
Save A Lot in Oneida is offering packaged brown bags with staple food- items that can be purchased at the cash register for a limited time, King said. These packages go directly to the Karing Kitchen and the people they serve.
Direct donations of food, health and beauty products, and toys can also be made by first contacting the Karing Kitchen via Facebook ( for a quicker response), or cal ling ( 315) 280- 0869 and leaving a voicemail to coordinate donation drop- off or pickup. Call- backs are expected within 24 hours.
Money donations can be made online via their website, or by checkmade payable to Karing Kitchen and mailed to 116 West Grove St., Oneida, NY 13421.
“We’re really appreciative of everyone’s help during this time,” King exclaimed. This year’s usedtoy distribution had a great donation turnout, she said, and the community continues to donate and help out inmany ways. She shoutedout the Oneida Democratic Committee for their recent assistance.
The Karing Kitchen’s provides meals and other personal resources to all, with no judgment, no questions asked, and a friendly smile. Anyone can utilize their services, no matter their level of need or whether or not they’re a Madison County resident. King says the organization does its best to connect people with the resources available to them in their area, but they won’t turn anyone away.
COVID- 19 has wiped out the soup kitchen’s communal nature, which was an integral part of its care and role in people’s lives, King explained. The organization has had no choice but to adapt to a deliveryonly model of food distribution for the time being. Volunteer drivers and others have been vital to this shift, she said.
“We continue to reach out and do what’s needed, and we continue to work with other agencies just trying to bridge that gap that seems to be there for some families,” she said.
“Especially right now, with COVID, and what’s going on with that, I know it can be challenging for families to try to figure out what to do or how to do it, or [ think] ‘ Oh my gosh, I can’t leave my house,’” she continued.
Anyone who feels they could benefit from the meals and other personal resources provided by the Karing Kitchen is encouraged to reach out through Facebook or the Karing Kitchen website. The nonprofit responds to voicemails left at ( 315) 2800869 within 24 hours, and can also be emailed atkaringkitchen@yahoo.com