Open Door Food Kitchen feeds a growing need

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- For over four decades, the Open Door Food Kitchen is continuing their mission to build a better community by feeding and caring for all of those who come through their doors. 

What started in downtown St. Joseph in 1984 now sits at 615 South 8th Street. Open Door Food Kitchen serves 250 meals a day, 365 days a year.

Executive Director Katie Burris said she's only seen an increase in the three years she's held the job.

"It's growing, it has continually grown since I've been here. It's increased at least 9 percent, and it's going up," Burris said.

Burris is executive director, but to many she holds various titles.

"I'll mediate. Nobody's life decision has to be that serious. So we try to make it comforting. I have a lot of titles. I give people rides. I help them with resources. If I can help someone make a better choice in their life or a better decision, I'm going to definitely encourage that and push that. I've had my own struggles in life," Burris said.

For Open Door Food Kitchen, prices have been hard to meet, ranging from $400 to $450 to prepare a meal, but finding volunteers is also a challenge. Some volunteers who join Open Door Food Kitchen have a more relatable story than most.

Operations Director Zachary Perry has worked at Open Door Food Kitchen and he brings a sense of relatability for those who come through the open doors.

"I would come down here to eat every day and wash up and it was like the only place where I could go into and have a reprieve from sleeping on the concrete. There's an AC, there's food, there's running water and there's people to talk to. You didn't really have to look over your shoulder every 10 seconds when you're here for the couple of hours that you're allowed to be here," Perry said.

"It gives me a sense of relatability, so when I talk to people, I, there's not really that disconnect because those are the same people that I was out sleeping on the park bench next to, you know, I mean, it's kind of come full circle and, I don't know, pretty interesting, almost kind of hopefully motivational for others too."

The Open Door Food Kitchen helps people from all socioeconomic backgrounds year-round. If you, a business, or a group would like to volunteer or donate, visit the Open Door Food Kitchen’s website.