Hanford Soup Kitchen Serves Dignity and Warm Meals to Community

HANFORD, Calif. — Every day of the week, the Episcopal Church of the Saviour transforms into a hub of community support, battling food insecurity in Kings County through its long-standing free lunch program.

The soup kitchen, which has operated in downtown Hanford for more than 30 years, relies on a dedicated network of local volunteers and donors to provide high-quality, balanced meals to anyone in need.

“Every day, the soup kitchen serves patrons in the community, and everyday we provide a meal with a protein, some greens, a fruit and a nice dessert treat for them.” said Pini Etchegoin, a volunteer at the kitchen.

The operation is fueled by the generosity of the surrounding area. Organizations throughout Hanford and Lemoore contribute the ingredients necessary to keep the kitchen running, ensuring that the staff can focus on the quality of the service provided. Beyond just the food, the mission of the church is rooted in the way they treat those who walk through the doors.

“To be able to be here, to be among them, to feed them, because we have to be able to give them dignity and respect, and they deserve that, because like I said, they are the children of God,” said Emily Valdez, a deacon postulant at the Episcopal Church of the Saviour.

While not everyone who visits the kitchen is experiencing homelessness, the service acts as a vital safety net for those who might otherwise face a day without a meal.

“Some of ’em are very down and out, some not so much, some come just for a meal, they’re not necessarily homeless people,” Etchegoin said. “But if we didn’t have this service everyday for these people, they would go a whole day without food.”

The soup kitchen is located at 519 N. Douty St. in Hanford and remains open to anyone in the community seeking a hot meal.