BATTLE CREEK, Mich. -- For years now, God's Kitchen has had a 1997 Honda Civic hatchback that is used to deliver meals and other supplies. However, the car has 305,000 miles on it. The organization said it broke down last night for the last time.
Pastor William Stein, chairman of God's Kitchen, said a tie rod on the vehicle snapped while making a run. He said it's been used as a delivery vehicle to transport meals for the past 5 years and was donated by Pastor Mary and Robert Gault of Battle Creek. Stein said the organization recently put $1,000 into making a number of repairs on the car. He said it's no longer repairable.
God's Kitchen started a Gofundme page to raise funds to purchase a reliable vehicle.
Stein said the Civic has also been used to transport supplies to and from the church. He said the kitchen has served 98,000 meals since forming in 2011. Many have gone to feed homeless veterans who now stay at Silver Star. God's Kitchen is depending on donations for a vehicle in better shape.
"We pray the community will respond to our need. It's an urgent need," Stein said.
He added, "God's Kitchen was the first evening weekly soup kitchen in Battle Creek that was addressing the sustenance needs of the indigent of the Cereal City, and we pray the community or West Michigan will respond to our urgent need."
Stein said, "I just want to thank everybody in advance who are going to make donations to this campaign. If we don't have a vehicle, we can't really do anything to address the needs of the hungry."
The pastor said local car salesman Mickey Seelye has provided a loaner car for the time being.
