Karing Kitchen

"Like a great poet, nature produces the greatest results with the simplest means. There are simply a sun, flowers, water and love. " Heine.

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. Dr. Seuss Sue, @spulverenti, City of Oneida - City Clerk's Office, you have given so many moments that have become more than cherished memories for our city. You will be missed. Please enjoy your retirement and if you get bored you can always serve on city board or commission. ;) Thought you might enjoy these throw back photos on your last day.

National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum of Peterboro NY, invites all of us to Dr. Eddie Moore's 21 Day Racial Equity Challenge. To access the Challenge, visit www.nationalabolitionhalloffameandmuseum.org & select the 21 Day Racial Equity Challenge. The free program provides several modes of accessing information delivered each day. The programs of the first week (of five days) includes... Understanding Systemic Racism, The Effects of Racism, Understanding Bias, Understanding Privilege, and Cultural Competence. A tracking tool is supplied to personalize and chart individual progress. Dr. Moore created the Challenge to not only help people better understand issues surrounding equity, inclusion, privilege, leadership and supremacy, but also to do so in a way that would build a habit of learning by stretching it over 21 days.

On this beautiful spring day, we and ours wish you and yours a Blessed Easter. We would also like to take this time to thank everyone who assisted us providing 444 Easter Baskets to our community. Thank you, Thank you, the blessings abound and are greatly appreciated. Oneida Elks Lodge 767, ARC, Madison County Sheriff's Dept., Oneida Healthcare, Oneida Area Churches, Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Our Lady 1250, Foodbank of CNY, United Way of Madison County, Community Action Partnership for Madison County, Holy Cross Academy, St. Patrick's School Oneida, NY, Oneida City School District, YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley, A Living Legacy, ZETA, Oneida Public Library, Oneida Rotary, Catholic Charities, Hood, Oneida Housing Authority, our numerous volunteers and anyone else we may have forgotten (sorry).

We have faced some really hard times this past year. There were times when we thought How can we get through this? Yet there have been wonderful people that have been by our side, helping us in the little ways we didn't realize. The grocery worker who had a smile in their eyes even though they were exhausted. The neighbor who offered to go to the store for us even as they were worrying how to make their bills with their job on pause. The healthcare worker who held their ...phone so goodbyes could be said. The teacher who explained the lesson again without exasperation, only concerned with How we were doing. Our mental health workers who responded to the constant increasing need at any time of the day with patience and understanding, putting their lives on hold. The volunteers that have helped deliver food. The vaccine workers/makers, making sure we are doing our part to put an end to this. In any role, those in our lives have hidden the pain, anguish and grief in their lives to help us. WE were NOT Alone, ever. THANK YOU!!!! We are so deeply grateful. Please note that Madison County Department of Health (MCDOH) has established a will call list for COVID-19 Vaccine appointments for all those who are 18 and older. The will call list will be used when there are no shows or extra doses of vaccine are available. To be placed on the will call list contact the Madison County COVID-19 Hotline at 315.366.2770. They will contact you as soon as an appointment becomes available. Please note that if you are called it will be for an appointment that day. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and those you love from COVID-19. Thousands of our residents have already been vaccinated, it shows that these vaccines are safe. Sign up today. says Madison County Public Health Director Eric Faisst. Now is the time to share our thank you for those who have helped us by getting the vaccine. Karing Kitchen volunteers have and are. Please join us.

A 4 minute reflection. What's So Good About Good Friday?

You never know when you will be faced with decisions, ones you never dreamed of. Melissa's aunt recently shared, "Throughout the past 40 years I have been homeless a number of times, and although others may think I should be ashamed of it or hide it, I have realized that there is more to life.....It takes a very strong person to live a homeless life, to be subjected to all kinds of prejudices, to wonder where your next meal will come from or if your kids have had enough to ea...t. It takes a strong person to be able to gather enough strength to move on to something else. I do not tell you that I have been homeless to elicit pity or sympathy. I tell you this because today, I am a strong woman with a strong will, I have become who I am because of who I was." Again, real change, real understanding come from honest conversation. Thank you for joining our conversation tonight.

As we end Women's History Month, we acknowledge with gratitude the female leaders of our community that continue to be a voice for others that have not yet found theirs. Thank you to Pam Vecchiano -Catholic Charities, Amanda Larson-Gorman Foundation, Denise Laube-United Way of Madison County, Kate Smith-St. Patrick's, Mary Reiter, Phyllis Stoker- Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Our Lady 1250, Linda Finnerty- Verona, Duffy Geary- Holy Family, Linda Felix-Believers' ...Chapel, Carol, Mary Jean, Barb-Opportunity Shop, Sandi Bain, Laura Brahmer, Julie Roache, Rebecca Myers, Corey Marsh- Community Action Program of Madison County, and we especially want to thank Melissa King- Karing Kitchen for her continued dedication to this community. Tune in Thursday, April 1st to Channel 9 at 7:30 pm to check out the stories of our 2 local women, Joanne Shenandoah and Melissa King that were named as 1 of CNY Remarkable women. "Throughout American history, women and girls have made vital contributions, often in the face of discrimination and undue hardship. Courageous women marched for and won the right to vote, campaigned against injustice, shattered countless barriers, and expanded the possibilities of American life. " Women’s History Month Proclamation, President Joe Biden. A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. So we encourage you to continue to #ChooseToChallenge

The weather this morning was frightening, thunder and lightning. Melissa has received several calls asking if she would still do the annual homelessness awareness tonight. As she stated" When you are homeless, you still have to figure it out, no matter what the weather is like." So, join Melissa and Karing Kitchen in raising awareness tonight from 7pm to 7 am. Check back in as we will be posting some personal stories throughout the night. RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW, Let's start the conversations to break down those barriers.

We want to thank Melissa King for her continued dedication to this community. Congratulations, Melissa on being named 1 of CNY Remarkable women. Don't forget to join her on raising awareness of homelessness in Madison County on March 26. We also want to remind everyone to Spring ahead early Sunday morning (turn your clocks ahead). There are still appointments available to get the Covid-19 vaccine at the Towers today. To schedule your appointment go to https://www.madisoncounty.ny.gov//COVID-19-Vaccine-Informa The link will be removed when all appointments are filled. Today is the last day to order Foodsense for March. Please check out the Foodsense flyer for April. The potato picture is 'food for thought' and die hard fans will enjoy. Have a great weekend everyone.

Congratulations to St.Patrick's school of Oneida. Today, they are celebrating 100 days of school in their 100th year of operation. Thank you to the many dedicated teachers, staff, students and parents throughout the years. Thank you for your dedication and assistance to Karing Kitchen. Here's to many more years.

We are sending prayers and heartfelt concerns for our elected officials during this most trying time, a picture of turmoil that we are not used to seeing on American soil.

Friendly Reminder. Keep safe our friends. Wear a Mask, Social distance and if possible stay home.

Thanksgiving looks SOOO different this year. And now with the family limitations in place (NO more than 10 for a private gathering). We all are saddened that we will not being able to follow our normal customs. From our families to yours, we hope that you are finding some blessings in your life. Melissa King, coordinator of Karing Kitchen has created a positive message that is worth sharing. Would you please help us in getting this positive message out? Just by sharing this message. We challenge all of you to join us Thanksgiving Day at 6 pm from the comfort of your home. Please share this with your friends, family and community. Also Foodsense for December