One last supper

COEUR d’ALENE — For Kevin Kram and Cherished Ones Ministries, it’s time for one last supper.

“It’s been an amazing thing to watch what God’s done in this little ministry,” he said.

The nonprofit is shutting down the Saturday soup kitchen that has fed more than 50,000 people over the last 22 years.

The owners of the building at 401 N. Second St. were served a notice 18 months ago that Cherished Ones had to move. They extended the lease three times when Kram couldn't find another home.

“They’ve been very gracious with us,” he said.

After months of searching and praying, but finding nothing close to affordable, Kram and the board decided it was time.

“We knew our lease was running out and we knew we didn’t have anything,” he said. “We feel like God is closing this, at this point.”

The meal they serve Saturday, April 8, which happens to be Kram’s birthday, is being billed as “The Last Supper.”

Cherished Ones Ministries opened April 7, 2001, in the basement of a small Sherman Avenue church. It had stints at The Altar Church on Best Avenue, another downtown location and was even homeless before landing at its current site about 13 years ago.

“We’ve been all around the place," Kram said. “It’s been a phenomenal run.”

The soup kitchen at one point was serving 100 to 125 people each Saturday. Some years it opened on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

But most recently, weekly dinners have been more in the 30 range, which Kram attributed to changes in transportation and more homeless individuals migrating to Spokane for additional services.

Cherished Ones will continue its other ministry work such as supporting youth programs, partnering with other soup kitchens and providing food to shelters.

Kram said the nonprofit’s finances are sound and the volunteer base is solid.

It operated on a budget of about $25,000. It didn’t pass the hat. It didn’t seek grants. It covered rent and food through donations.

Kram, a contractor, generally gave about 40 hours a month to Cherished Ones and often used his own money to make sure needs were met.

No one got paid.

“We’re all on a pay-to-work here program,” he said, laughing.

He paid a price for his commitment to the ministry and has fought medical issues lately, but is feeling better.

“I was just working too hard and not eating well,” he said.

While Cherished Ones has always been a small, grassroots operation, Kram believes it impacted many lives and had a strong presence in Coeur d’Alene for more than two decades.

He is thankful for the community support and credits volunteers with being the operation's backbone.

“We’ve got a lot of people praying for us,” he said.

Kram admits there were days he didn’t want to be there, already tired from a good day's work.

“But I felt like I was serving the Lord, and this is where he had me,” he said.

The sacrifice was worth it.

He said he watched tentative volunteers take ownership of the kitchen. He watched people who came for help serve on the board.

“I’ve watched the transformation of lives,” he said. “We get a front row seat to see what God is doing in each other’s lives. Our job is to allow the Lord to show us what our part is.”

Kram treasures the smiles and laughs and hugs he has witnessed, all born of happy hearts.

He declines any credit.

“It’s not us that’s making the difference,” he said. “It’s God."

Kram said that if, miraculously, an affordable place pops up to operate a soup kitchen, he’ll consider it.

“We will look at everything,” he said.

The last supper will be served from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Kram promises a feast fit for a king and hopes a crowd comes out. He hopes they bring stories, prayers, blessings and tears.

“This is about a rejoicing of what has happened and looking forward to what is going to happen,” he said.

Certainly, it will be a time to cherish.