COEUR d'ALENE - Debbie McKenzie wept as she thought about the financial woes that have clouded the future of the Cherished Ones Ministries soup kitchen.

"I've seen people bring their babies and kids here," said McKenzie, a Coeur d'Alene resident who enjoyed a hot meal offered by the nonprofit on Saturday. "If they close the doors, where are the babies and homeless going to eat? It's pretty sad."

McKenzie said she donates what she can.

"It comes from the heart," she said. "There are a lot of homeless people and we have to look out for them. I pray that this place doesn't close its doors for good."

The outreach at Second and Indiana feeds an average of 100 to 125 people each week. It will serve around 10,000 meals this year, the same as last.

Kevin Kram, director, said it costs about $25,000 per year to run the nonprofit.

"Every nickel that's donated goes toward feeding people or paying for the facility," Kram said.

But the 11-year-old organization isn't collecting enough nickels these days.

Kram, who has been at the helm of Cherished Ones Ministries since founding it, said December was the first time it didn't have enough money to cover the month's bills.

Not a good feeling, Kram said as he sat down to relax over a cup of coffee.

"We're looking a little better now," he said, adding some donations came in. "We can finish and go into January."

A slow economy has increased demand on nonprofits, while at the same time, donations are down.

"Look around at the community," Kram said. "There's lots of fundraisers going on. The economy is tough, there's a lot of need."

Cherished Ones' financial plight prompted Jeff Conroy, St. Vincent de Paul's North Idaho executive director, to do a first - write a "plea" letter for another nonprofit.

"I cannot tell you how badly the homeless community will miss this large Saturday evening meal and the help Cherished Ones Ministries provides," he wrote. "They are a huge member of the St. Vincent de Paul collaborative network and we have to keep them helping those on the street."

Cherished Ones doesn't do fundraisers. It has no congregation. It doesn't seek the spotlight. It relies on grants and donations. It has no paid staff.

"We're all on the pay-to-work-here plan," he said, chuckling.

It has been a hard year for Kram.

His wife, Dannette, died of cancer on March 18. During her hospital stay in Seattle, Kevin traveled back and forth to be with her, while still trying to operate his construction business.

It was a financial strain personally and affected Cherished Ones, as well.

Kram said he didn't have the time to apply for grants he normally would have.

"That kind of hurt us," he said.

Despite the monetary challenges facing Cherished Ones, Kram isn't looking to step away or close it. He and his volunteers will persevere. He credits small businesses like Davis Donuts for quietly supporting Cherished Ones.

"I see the faces on the other side of the counter. I know the need," he said. "I know the heartbreak of not having a dinner. I know what would happen if we stopped having dinners."

Kram is there for other nonprofits, too.

When the new warming shelter opened in Post Falls last month, he helped round up donations.

When the Community Action Partnership food bank needed turkeys for Thanksgiving, he asked his donors to give there.

Conroy praises his efforts.

"Kevin and his volunteers work miracles weekly with what little they have," he wrote.

Coeur d'Alene's Linda McElhannon hopes Cherished Ones stays put. She said it's nice for people who need help to have a place to go.

"There's a lot of people who come down here, and it helps to be around somebody," she said while waiting outside for the line to go down inside.

Emily Jenkins said people count on the meal and fellowship.

"We'd miss it if it wasn't here," she said.

Donations can be mailed to Cherished Ones Ministries c/o Kevin Kram, P.O. Box 985, Rathdrum, ID 83858.

For more information, call Kram at 704-0908.