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Robert Thomas

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2 reviews

Review for Rainbow Kitchen Community Services, Homestead, PA, USA

Rating: 5 stars  

Rainbow Kitchen Community Services has been providing "in the trenches" aide & supportive services to the least advantaged citizens of Pittsburgh's Steel Valley for more than 25 years. As member of RKCS's "blue collar" Board, I have directly witnessed how a very small and extremely dedicated staff, assisted by a caring cadre of volunteers, is able to stretch limited resources in order to lovingly help an increasing number of clients during this malingering recesion. RKCS addresses youth, elderly & at-risk nutrition and case-work needs which, but for RKCS, would go unmet. Others talk, RKCS does.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

By volunteering in open pantry distribution and reviewing monthly perfromance measures

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Grow staff so that additional direct meals could be provided to those in need.

Role:  Board Member & Served on BOD, donated personally & solicited others.
 

Review for Rainbow Kitchen Community Services, Homestead, PA, USA

Rating: 5 stars  

Rainbow Kitchen Community Services annually provides the Steel Valley with more than 17,000 meals to our breakfast program participants, 70,000 Kids Café meals to children who are at risk of hunger, and 7,000 bags of groceries to families in need. Additional supportive services, including short-term and extended case management, information, advocacy, and referrals, are provided to approximately 1,500 individuals each year. RKCS is currently distributing coats and other winter items to those in need. I’m able to personally attest that all these services are provided as efficiently as possible, through a combination of volunteer support, donated food, community development grants, small donations from our friends in the community and the tireless efforts of an extremely small and dedicated paid staff. Thank you for the opportunity to write this review. May we never know hunger.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

the faces of the clients, many who depend on RKCS for their one hot & nutritious meal of the day.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

work to expand the hours that services are available to the community.

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

the opportunity to share the blessings I enjoy in abundance with those in desperate need.

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

hard working, well organized and undaunted by the work remaining to be done.

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

expand the reach of its current programs and increase the depth of services provided to the most disadvantaged in the community.

Ways to make it better...

others in the "advantaged" community would demonstrate more directly their concern for and join in helping their brothers and sisters.

In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...

uncertain dynamics of the funding agencies and severe competition for the charitable dollar.

One thing I'd also say is that...

Anyone inclined to volunteer or to contribute cash or in-kind should call 412 464 1892!

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2007

Role:  Board Member & As a volunteer, contributor, and board member.