A ministry that began by feeding 18 hungry people one evening in 1989 continues to serve those in need of a meal in the Flathead Valley.

Twenty-five years later, though, that same ministry serves about 1,500 meals a month.

Community Kitchen Feeding the Flathead is reflecting on its humble beginnings as it celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. It remains an all-volunteer program that works miracles with modest means.

“It’s very loosely organized,” Director Naomi Davidson said. “God has kept it together for 25 years. You get good people and you trust them to do their jobs.”

Stephanie Helland started Community Kitchen at Faith Alliance Church in Kalispell, and a year later turned over the reins to Davidson, who has been the director ever since. Historically the soup kitchen served meals the last six nights of each month, with the premise that’s when low-income residents may need a little help, especially if their money or food stamps have run low.

Sometimes Community Kitchen served up to 120 people a night, but more normal was a crowd of about 80, Davidson said.

In 1998 Crossworks Ministry started Feeding the Flathead, serving meals on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday during the first three weeks of each month. The two programs joined forces in 2006, creating Community Kitchen Feeding the Flathead with its own nonprofit status.

Today the ministry serves meals at 6 p.m. on 21 nights each month. Meals are still served the last six days of the month at Faith Alliance Church, and meals are served at Central Christian Church on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The newest addition has been a Monday evening meal at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell the first three Mondays of the month.

Area churches take turns cooking and serving. Some bring their own food; some use state government commodities the organization gets, Davidson said. Commodity shipments include chicken, turkey, lamb, hamburger, canned vegetables, fruit, pasta and tomato products. The Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry often contributes spare dairy products.

Richard Keller coordinates the food supply.

It’s all about making do with what’s available, said Davidson, who recently whipped up a batch of bread pudding for desert from some stale loaves.

Northridge and Trinity Lutheran churches, along with Faith Alliance, have been involved since the beginning, she added. More than 200 volunteers from across the Flathead help out.

Crowds range from 25 to 55 people for the meals served earlier in the month, with up to 80 people turning out for the last week of the month.

Several volunteers have been with the program for years. Marcus and Anita Keithly and Bill and Patty Basko have cooked and served the last Thursday of the month for all 25 years.

“We love it,” Marcus Keithly said. “We find that serving is a rewarding thing to do. People get a taste for helping.”

The meals are served restaurant-style to create a welcoming environment.

“People are appreciative. It’s not like a handout,” he said.

Even though the ministry often is referred to as a soup kitchen, Davidson said one of her board members pointed out that it’s a “soup kitchen that once in a while even serves soup.” The meals are hearty and nutritious.

A simple prayer precedes each meal, but “they don’t have to sit through a sermon,” Davidson said. Sometimes volunteers take prayer requests back to their churches.

The congregate meals are a place where the homeless come, but just as often the working poor, disabled and elderly residents attend to enjoy a meal and some fellowship.

“We don’t turn anyone down,” Keithly stressed.

Finding enough money to keep the program running is a constant battle, Davidson said.

“Every month we seem to manage, though,” she said. “It costs about $500 a month and we’re lucky to have that much sometimes. The Lord provides.”

Community Kitchen Feeding the Flathead will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Monday, April 28 — the exact anniversary date — with a turkey dinner served at 6 p.m.

Donations to Community Kitchen Feeding the Flathead may be sent to the organization at P.O. Box 3166, Kalispell, MT 59901. People also can call Davidson at 752-7337 to find out how they can help.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.