LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Volunteers at the Friendship Kitchen prepared 200 meals in just over an hour Sunday, responding to increased demand during the ongoing government shutdown.
“We spent the morning making meatballs, cutting up some vegetables,” said Luke McCarthy, a volunteer. “We’re preparing 200 meals that are family farm fresh, going directly to families this afternoon.”
The kitchen operates through Friendship Circle, a nonprofit which connects with people with disabilities. Taylor Everakes is one of those people, among the volunteers packing meals for those in need.
“Being around other people is kind of nice and helps me get out of the house,” Everakes said. “It would be very important to me to help them out once in a while.”
Kitchen expands operations
Rabbi Levi Harlig, the executive director of Friendship Circle, started the Friendship Kitchen at the beginning of this year. The operation began once a month but now runs biweekly sessions with up to 50 volunteers per session.
“I see it in the near future ramping up to weekly as well,” Harlig said.
The shutdown has increased demand for the kitchen’s services. Multiple families have reached out individually requesting fresh meals, Harlig said.
“We’ve got multiple families reach out to us on an individual basis. They have no food. They want a fresh meal,” he said. “So today’s meals are given to those families that requested it, then another nonprofit that distributes them to families that can use the most.”
McCarthy said he knows federal workers affected by the shutdown, including air traffic controllers working without paychecks.
“I used to work at the airport. I know the air traffic controllers are working, and they’ve been working for a month now without a paycheck,” McCarthy said. “It’s another great way to give back to the community.”
Rabbi Harlig shared his perspective on the shutdown, emphasizing the need to stay to positive and help others as best we can.
“In general, our approach always is you got to focus on light, focus on increasing your good deeds. You take a small little candle, it’s a dark room, the whole room lights up. So don’t focus on all the issues and all the negativity,” Harlig said.
“Focus on being a candle, a beacon of light. Volunteer to do a good deed. Make a fresh meal, and the darkness will dissipate on its own.”
If you want to learn more about Friendship Circle and volunteer at the kitchen yourself, visit their website here.
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