Stories Submitted by Volunteers
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Every week, volunteers come together to create an experiment in generosity. It moves some to tears, it inspires many to pay-it-forward in beautiful ways, it silently shifts the spirit of just about everyone. Below are some of the stories that people have shared, and we invite you to share your story as well. We invite you to subtmit your stories here, particularly as we launch this repository just this week! |
Jul 12, 2010: July 11 at Berkeley Karma Kitchen
"She is courageous and fearless"
"He plays 5 instruments"
"Her smile alone gives a sense of security and warmth."
This Sunday, our theme of the day at Berkeley was interconnection. Partly spurred by the excitement surrounding the World Cup finale, we challenged ourselves and our guests to think connections. To think about how we know each other, and to think about how we can get closer in our relationships.
This week was marked by some exceptional performances by our volunteers. With the roster looking sparse, we had some Karma Kitchen veterans step it up. Bhoutik had his first day as maitre d', and he was incredible. Moving from table to table, sporting his traditional B2 smile, Bhoutik spent all day making new guests feel welcome and getting everyone thinking about kindness. Sam B. also stepped up and agreed to try out our interface role. Sam guided our new servers and effortlessly coordinated quite a few big orders.
Our two new servers, Prasanna and Avelina, were a source of energy and excitement all day. Just the two of them covered the entire restaurant, yet they still had time to get to know their guests and experience Karma Kitchen.
Lachmin and Aditi were both all-stars. Lachmin came as a last-minute savior, helping clear tables just as the post-match lunch rush kicked in. Aditi helped make sure the naan came out quickly, and she learned how to make a mean basket herself.
The back of the restaurant was a steady but surging river. Our two platers, Kevin and Carol, were on the same wavelength all day, cranking out plates of delicious, warm food. Gabby was making drinks and desserts faster than the servers could bring them out. Even Carol's sister Judy, helped join in on the act. She was inspired to serve after enjoying her lunch at Karma Kitchen.
All in all, it was a fantastic day. It's great to see Berkeley coming out to support this experiment in generosity all summer. Also, congratulations to Karma Kitchen Chicago. We all anxiously await that story :)
--Tom on Jul 12, 2010
Jul 11, 2010: Year of Giving
I really like what Karma Kitchen is trying to accomplish and frequent the Washington DC location. Last time I was there they gave me $10 to pay it forward some how... I chose to pass the money onto a DC classroom project at Donars Choose (www.donarschoose.org). I passed the money onto a teacher who asked for pencils for her students. I seemed crazy to me that they did not even have enough pencils!!!
Thanks Karma Kitchen for showing me how small gifts can make such an impact.
See you next week!
--Stephanie Sheppard on Jul 11, 2010
Jul 7, 2010: The 4th of July at Karma Kitchen
I just wanted to thank you all for such a fantastic time last Sunday. It was very uplifting to see so many people volunteering over a holiday weekend. I think we brought some great energy and enthusiasm to the community this past weekend.
--Tom on Jul 7, 2010
Our group of first time servers: Suzie, Jonathan, Mustafa and Sudan were all incredible. Without a day of Karma Kitchen waiter/waitress experience, our four servers supplied our guests with a steady stream of drinks, naan, and smiles. They worked seamlessly with Roshni, our interface. She kept everyone in rhythm and juggled a few complicated group orders with ease!
In the back, Matthew and Susan were a plating tag-team. Bringing great positive energy that the back of the restaurant fed off all day, these two plated and presented some beautiful and delicious plates. Arthur kept everyone in stitches, cracking jokes while handling the drinks and dessert section. He seemed to read the servers' minds, always having a few back-up mango lassi's or pie slices ready to go.
In front, MJ was his usual "all-smiles" self as our maitre d'. From groups of students to a traveling guitar band, MJ made everyone feel welcome, and spoke to the Karma Kitchen mission with clarity and excitement. Aditi helped keep the front of the restaurant running smoothly, jumping in to fill water pitchers, bus tables, deliver food, or whatever else we needed our 'savior' to do! Candy Marie and Tom rounded things out, keeping a steady flow of dishes and silverware for the servers.
All in all, a great day of volunteering by everyone. We served over 80 people, and we did a great job helping Berkeley celebrate the 4th of July with sharing and love. It was very rewarding to step up the kindness on such a special day for our country.
Jul 1, 2010: Karma Kitchen DC Community Profiles!
The Karma Kitchen DC Team has decided to embark on a new project!
Every Sunday we meet amazing individuals who inspire us, question us, and basically make the Karma Kitchen experience unique and wonderful. We thought it was about time we told the world about these incredible people which include guests, volunteers, and maybe even the random person who walks by Karma Kitchen.
In the first Community Profile, meet John Chambers, founder of BloomBars community art space, a regular guest, and fierce advocate of Karma Kitchen.
--Aparna on Jul 1, 2010
Jun 21, 2010: Community Poem: My father (Father's day tribute)
We experimented a community poem this past Sunday. We passed a poem sheet from table to table and asked guests to contribute a sentence or two to the poem titled "My Father." After I read this, I was really touched. Thank you to all the contributors, and I would like to dedicate this poem to all the fathers around the world.
My father
My father taught me sports link I am his son (I am a girl!)
He holds my hand, fortifies my mind, shows me how to hold my heart upright and offer it to others
As well as the art that I show to my mother!
He knows what I need, and he works hard to provide for me.
The father amongst Kings he keeps me sound in moments of despair.
He is the object of my life and fortitude of my dreams.
By his example, I learn how to give and not to judge, to love and receive love.
To be above all, a gentleman and scholar, showing a pure heart beneath the vest.
My father is a special man. He has taught me to be kind to others and independent.
I heard we learn our work habits from our fathers.
He wants the best for me. So I try my best.
He is very caring and loving and he accepts me!
My father strong in his stand set in the form of god’s gift.
Unknowingly suffocates my spirit, but because today is his to shine I will let it slide.
His memory stretches across the sky like the clouds that give us shade and nourishing water.
Learned, not forceful or proud, but ready with an answer or honest “I don’t’ know.” Strong forces observed with <Hebrew writing> and like Karma Kitchen’s philosophy, I hope to one day, pay forward all the love my father gave me to my own child.
--Aya on Jun 21, 2010
Jun 16, 2010: Road to Heaven Paved with Good Intentions
Sundays have a certain grace about them in many cultures. How early does that grace start? For Karma Kitchen last Sunday, it started at 9:00am!
That's right - from Florida to San Jose to a cozy bed near you, our radiant crew flowed into Karma Kitchen starting at 9am. No wonder the day was bountiful with good intentions! (A timely theme chosen by Candy Marie & particularly enjoyed by a soon-to-be-married couple of guests.)--3 Amigo Anchors on Jun 16, 2010Kinjal was meant to be a Server, and she radiated that serenity and a 300-Watt smile all day. Be sure to catch this woman in action next time! Michael merged his restaurant expertise with a contagiously boisterous heart at our community tables - and have we mentioned he came from Florida for this? Meghan was a magnet for generosity, proven when she gave her copy of a meditation manual to a woman in an act of sure-fire synchronicity - then received the last of its kind from ever-mindful Chris at our closing circle! (His powers of keen observation and quiet grace set quite the tone for us this week.) Eva basked in the glow and enjoyed numerous occasions to boogie with joy at the overflowing kindness in the room. And our aptly named Savior, Joni, led us all in true service with only a big ol' smile and shining brow to show her inspiration. Well, she might have "whoopeed" a bit, too. (I know we mentioned this, but Joni and nephew Michael came ALL THE WAY FROM FLORIDA.) Sadan's subtle service on plates blossomed when he transitioned to a server, reflecting what chivalry can look like in modern times.While uber veteran Roshni managed all the flow, in the back it was all smiles, and while we had over a hundred guests to serve food to, the atmosphere could only be described as calm, collected, and well, just "rejuberated"! (credit goes to Richard for our new vocab word!) First-timer Candy Marie teamed up with Juan to take on the arduous task of dish-washing for the whole day. She cleaned with a huge smile, all the while asking all the chefs for recipes for what was being served up that day. Sadan and Bill defied gender stereotypes, as they became the first male duo to grace us with their amazing plating skills at KK, since its inception over three years ago! Iris, an experienced server, owned drinks and desserts this week, showing her versatility. Regardless of what role she played, she was just thrilled with the opportunity to serve!
Rarely do we see a group support every person in the room so thoroughly and with such... well, generosity. It was an honor.
Jun 7, 2010: Karma Kitchen: something special in the atmosphere
Karma Kitchen's strength lies in creating an atmosphere of generosity. When guests walk through those doors, they are not only greeted by the smells of wonderful cuisine, but the warmth of smiles and the embrace of kindness. It changes your whole orientation.
Serving this week, I was reminded of how powerful KK is in shifting orientations. In the heart of the 12-1pm rush, into the restaurant comes a homeless man wearing a pink vest, pink beeny, and carrying two over-stuffed plastic bags and a backpack. He had a scraggly white beard and piercing blue eyes. I greeted him with a smile, and he returned one. Then he says, "I was told that I could come here for a free meal, I'd like to have one."
I paused to come up with the appropriate response. KK isn't a soup kitchen, and our intention isn't to give out "free meals." The food served is a gift, and has a value; the challenge we give to guests is to decide what value it has to them.
Sensing that this person had not been explained the KK concept fully, I began to do so. He listened carefully, and afterwards said he understood, though since he was homeless he may not be able to pay for the meal. I told him that was fine, guests have been known to pay back in all kinds of ways. He could choose to give something besides money, something as simple as a note of thanks. Leaving his bulky belongings in a corner of the restaurant, I walked him over to an empty table where he sat and proceeded to have a meal. As he sat, each time I walked by he would look up and give a huge beaming smile. It seemed that he had caught the KK spirit.
Then, as the man finished his meal and prepared to get up from his table, I saw something extraordinary. He had a small coin purse in his hand, and was stuffing the bill holder with coins! I was floored. I approached him and asked him if he was actually paying for his meal, and he said he was. A homeless man! He said that he felt like he had to contribute something. The restaurant was about community, which to him was the most important thing. He also appreciated the opportunity to connect with South Asian culture through food. When I told him it wasn't necessary for him to pay, he responded, "I could only give a little, I wish I could contribute more!"
What a moment, a stunning shift in orientation. A homeless man walks into KK asking, "what can I get?" and walks out asking, "what can I give?"
This is what the atmosphere of KK can do to people. But that atmosphere isn't created without hard work. It is through our volunteers and their spirit of generosity and service. It is through boundless positive energy bubbling out of the back from Bhoutik, the endless smiles of Gauri (even as she made naan with the chefs :)), the calm, steady anchoring of Stephanie plating in the kitchen and Praveen serving in the front, the quarterback-like leadership of Kye, the step-it-up energy of Lucy (who handled the table for 10 at the end of the day without hesitation), the enthusiasm of not-so-new server Michelle, the essential plug-all-holes efforts of Vikram, and the infectious love of Susan. You all *are* that atmosphere; you create that space for transformation. I'm thankful to have witnessed it.--Maitre-D' :) on Jun 7, 2010
Jun 2, 2010: Story About Karma Kitchen
Karma Kitchen, a Bay Area human service program, offers a creative approach to helping the community by gifting meals in the hope that consumers will pass on the generosity.
“Typically we get 70 to 120 customers,” said Neil Patel, a returning volunteer.
The idea is that each customer who enjoys a meal receives their meal for free and can chose to ‘pay it forward’ by making a donation, thus paying for the meal of the next customer.
The philosophy of paying it forward, or doing a nice deed for a stranger, is the main focus of Karma Kitchen. Hence the name Karma.
"I love that every Sunday morning, a group of strangers comes together,” said Jessica Eng, a student from UC Berkeley and a veteran volunteer of Karma Kitchen. “Why can't the rest of the world work like Karma Kitchen?"
Karma Kitchen is different from other volunteer organizations.
While most volunteer organizations operate by fundraising or attaining state money, Karma Kitchen runs solely on the generosity of the customers and their volunteer staff.
Open every Sunday from 11 to 2:30, Karma Kitchen offers a full gourmet menu of traditional Indian cuisine, provided by the Taste of Himalayas restaurant in Berkeley, at no cost to the community.
Taste of Himalayas owner Rajen Thappa is more than willing to donate his business for a few hours every Sunday for the good cause.
“My life has been gifted and by donating my restaurant,” said Thappa. “I saw it as the best way to give something back.”
The restaurant staff cooks the meal and the volunteers plate and serve the food.
"The people are all laid back, ego-free, and willing to give their best effort,” said Jeremy Ideus, a first time volunteer. “You immediately see the results of your good deeds.”
Karma Kitchen first came to life back in March of 2007 and has since grown in popularity. The kitchen is even holding strong against the dark cloud called the recession.
“The recession hasn’t hurt us too much,” said Tom Spellman, head of organizing the volunteers for the Sunday brunch. “Our funding is self-contained. We accept offerings for the food we serve and it goes to pay for rent and ingredients for the following week.”
Karma Kitchen thrives and survives because of the people volunteering their time, skills, and energy each Sunday the kitchen’s open.
Berkely’s is one of two Karma Kitchens, the first located in Washington D.C. The organization is currently anticipating the opening of its newest Kitchen, coming soon to Chicago.
--A volunteer on Jun 2, 2010
May 28, 2010: Karma Kitchen in The Washington Post and on BBC World News (Radio)
Karma Kitchen in DC has been featured recently in The Washington Post and on BBC World Radio. Check it out here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p007qf52/Outlook_26_05_2010/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/05/AR2010050502040.html
--Aparna Kothary on May 28, 2010
May 18, 2010: May 16th in Berkeley
The KK crew dedicated Sunday, May 16 to a day of "discovery." And so it was for one of the patrons who left a card on the table explaining that they were in Berkeley "in anticipation of moving here this fall, so Karma Kitchen helped us discover why we are making this town our home." The guests of Karma Kitchen seemed to have their own theme of the day as several of them left cards expressing how a sense of discovery helps you remain open, and how remaining open keeps you out of comfort zones.Good advice as the crew assembled for a moment of silence. There were only nine of us because a few volunteers failed to show, so we were definitely going to operate outside a "comfort zone."The day sailed by, busy with many wonderful encounters for all. Who would expect anything less with maitre'd extrarodinaire Dipa greeting everyone at the door with a big, warm, "Hi!" As interface, I could see the faces light up with just that simple, warm welcome. Dipa never seemed to lose her rhythm throughout the day and was gracious and warm with everyone who came in. Her encounter with a couple that seemed to enter with more of a "give me" attitude than one of generosity was beautiful. The couple sat down and seemed to be arguing, but the collective spirit of generosity of all the other guests and the volunteers just overwhelmed any of the negative vibes.Ryan was our rookie server, but you'd never know it from the way he glided among the tables and engaged the guests. He worked in a completely relaxed spirit, and you could tell that the guests responded to that spirit. Victoria and Sanjeev, both veterans in other roles, were the other first-time servers. Victoria had the sometimes challenging open table section, where random folks sit together and keeping track of orders can be difficult. But she was right on everything, noticing any mistake in any of the orders and keeping things flowing. She was a total prol. And Sanjeev was brightening a lot of faces with his humble and kind manner, never missing anything going on around him (and even managing to check Cricket scores once and a while on his IPAD!).Jessica and Yvette were doing the plating and worked like a well-oiled machine. They were totally organized, never losing track of any of the orders. And they were super good in maintaining communication with the Interface (that would be me) as soon as orders were ready. And something easy to overlook: the plates looked beautiful thanks to their careful handling of the food.Steve must have set a record back in the dishwashing area because we never ran out of anything. He was cool, calm and collected, doing a totally Pro job back there. And we all bow in gratitude to Bill for rescuing us. Bill came in for a meal and quickly jumped into the back to help wherever needed. And we needed him.Many thanks to all of you for another chapter in the "experiment" of Karma Kitchen.--Paul on May 18, 2010
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