Catholic Community Services- The Community Kitchen

Thurston County, Washington has a significant need for food security. According to the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, the 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Homeless Census counted 883 people experiencing homelessness in Thurston County. This represents a slight increase from the 2024 PIT count of 846 people. Of the 792 people counted in the 2025 PIT count, 389 were experiencing unsheltered homelessness, meaning they were living in places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, tents, or on the street. The remaining 494 people were staying in shelters or transitional housing. The 2025 PIT count also found that there are a number of disparities in homelessness in Thurston County. For example, people of color are more likely to experience homelessness than white people. Additionally, veterans and people with disabilities are also more likely to experience homelessness. 

Food insecurity is a serious problem for people experiencing homelessness. They often have difficulty accessing healthy and affordable food. This can lead to a number of health problems, including malnutrition, obesity, and diabetes. There are a number of factors that contribute to food insecurity in Thurston County. One factor is the high cost of housing. Many people experiencing homelessness cannot afford to pay for housing and food. Another factor is the lack of affordable housing options in Thurston County. There is a shortage of affordable housing units, which makes it difficult for people to find housing that they can afford. 

Programs like The Community Kitchen help address this need, serving the most vulnerable members of our community with compassion. 

The Community Kitchen is a reliable source of daily nutrition that allows our guests to have the energy they need to pursue their goals including mental and medical health, employment, and permanent housing. We serve anyone who is in need of food including single adults and families experiencing homelessness (about 90% of our clientele), low-income individuals and families, veterans, youth experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, people with substance use disorders, and people who struggle with mental health. We served about 95,760 meals this year.