The Community Kitchen

CIC has prepared meals for low-income and homeless individuals in the Olympia area for over 50 years. The Community KItchen (TCK) has continued to grow and evolve through its partnerships with Catholic Community Services (CCS), which provides staff support and food resources, and the Salvation Army, which provides kitchen facilities, and serves as a major site for the preparation and distribution of meals on the second Saturday of each month. It is notable that CIC is just one of many organizations striving to provide meals in our region: TCK is also used by dozens of other faith groups, community organizations and hundreds of volunteers to prepare and provide meals every day of the week.

Demand for food service across our region has increased steadily over the past decade. In January 2026 CIC volunteers prepared a total of 327 individual meals, which were distributed at the Salvation Army, and at two off-site locations, including Drexel House, and Interfaith Works' Unity Commons. More recently the cost of food items and packaging has risen considerably, and now total nearly $450 per month. Amazingly, the average cost of each meal remains very low--less than $1.40. And what a meal it is: our pork enchiladas, kernel corn, tortilla chips, salsa, salad and dessert provides a hot, hearty, and well-liked meal.