Karma Kitchen in Ukiah outside CTTB! The students from Developing Virtue Secondary School and volunteers, in collaboration with Taste Buds, a vegan/vegetarian restaurant in Ukiah, started the Karma Kitchen, a ServiceSpace inspired program, in Ukiah in November. The Girls School and the Boys School alternate to take charge on the third Saturday each month. (The Ukiah Daily Journal-Karma Kitchen: Growing in Generosity in Ukiah)





Robin, the co-owner of Taste Buds, wore a joyful smile, while busy helping the students serve. She said it was Jin Jr. Shi, the principle of the Girls School, who came to talk to her several times about collaborating on this project. How did Jin Jr. Shi find out about Taste Buds? Robin didn't know. Maybe it's the free community meals that Taste Buds serves on Sundays?

Since May this year, Taste Buds has been offering community meals every Sunday (1:30-2:30 pm) to the homeless people, who rarely get to eat a warm meal. Being asked what inspired her to serve, Robin simply put that they saw a need in the community, so they decided to serve that need. "You never know how many will show up. We usually have 25 to 40 people who come. Sometimes we make too much food. But no problem. I just took it home to feed my family," Robin said with a big smile. It's hard to imagine that Robin is a mother of four at home, including two young ones. How can anyone else complain that "I don't have time to serve?" :)


Robin and the Students

It was wonderful to see the high school students come out to contact with the outside world in the spirit of service and the community grow around them.





May the spirit of service and generosity continue to blossom in the hearts of many in Ukiah.

Taste Buds 405 S State Street, Ukiah, CA - 95482