Julie Darling Donuts partnering with Community Kitchen

On a daily basis year-round, Julie Darling Donuts owner Kent Davis donates up to six buckets of day-old doughnuts to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen.

photo Chattanooga Community Kitchen assistant director Jens Christensen, left, partners with Julie Darling Donuts owner Kent Davis to feed Chattanooga's homeless population.

From July 1-31, Davis plans to increase his donations by donating $1 for every box of a dozen doughnuts sold at his Frazier Avenue store to CCK.

"Homelessness is on the increase, so to have a business giving back is great," said Chattanooga Community Kitchen assistant director Jens Christensen. "Last year we served more than 180,000 meals. The doughnuts put a meal in a hungry belly."

Davis said since he began serving on the Chattanooga Community Kitchen Board five years ago that he has wanted to help.

For patrons wishing to help the homeless, Davis recommends purchasing the plain cake doughnut with vanilla icing. Davis said the Community Kitchen provides meals, but also helps the homeless find jobs and housing to break the cycle of homelessness.

"You want to help them become housed, and it all starts with a meal," said Christensen. "Yesterday we served 600 meals. We've hit 70,000 meals for the year already through May. The economy is moving up, but the jobs are still down."

He said when businesses partner with the Community Kitchen, more people can be helped.

"We've had tornado victims take showers and eat meals, but most want to get back in their houses," said Christensen. "Even though the big tornado hit, people have mini tornadoes in their lives all the time. People are traditionally not homeless by choice. A lot of people become homeless from situations beyond their control."

The Community Kitchen feeds people in need breakfast from 7 to 8 a.m., lunch from 10:45 a.m. to noon and dinner from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sundays lunch is served after church at 1:30 p.m. The Community Kitchen is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the year.

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