Poem Written By A Guest

A guest at last week's Karma Kitchen came up to us with an unusual offering -- a poetry reading -- of a poem she'd written dedicated to the volunteers! Here are a few lines from it that convey how deeply the KK experience moved her:

"I care for you so much

without even knowing you

Because you give without knowing me

Or asking for anything.

This is unconditional love."

Pavi

A Currency of Abundance

When I was asked to make an 'Abundance' poster for Karma Kitchen, I was filled with fear. How could I possibly convey such a huge concept in just one word? I knew that something had to shift, that I needed to feel a fullness in my life before I could tackle this project. So, I sat with it for a while, and began to imagine what...

~ Elizabeth

"Be Kind to Each Other" T-Shirts

One fine day, I was Googling the word kindness and ran into Karma Kitchen. It really resonated with the t-shirts I was making, so I came as a guest several times and found everyone there very welcoming, loving and open. Best of all it was so much fun! This last week, census was low at the hospital that I work for, and I had...

Vishali

A Dream From Two Years Ago

Two years ago, I had a vivid dream that I was in a place in Berkeley,California, where the most amazing food appeared on the table, and I was surrounded by angelic people, who were intent of spreading a message to souls passing through. At the Karma Kitchen this weekend, I realized that this was the place my dream had showed me. When I...

Ahimsa

An Unforgettable Birthday Dedication

Birthday songs have a way of bringing everyone together. Just as we did one for "Yolanda", someone on the other side of the restaurant yells, "It's my friend Rogers birthday too." So we did an encore. Happiness filled the air. Couple minutes later, we get word that there's a third birthday in the...

Nipun

I got my PhD(RT) at Karma Kitchen!

Susan Schaller is a huge fan of Karma Kitchen. After her first time at KK, she went home and sold her car as a commitment to her simplicity. Now, every week, she walks couple miles to get to the restaurant. And she's made a renewed commitment to give away something every week, that is very difficult for her to let go. This week, she...

Pancho

Explaining Karma Kitchen in Spanish

A few weeks ago, I had to prepare a final 15 minute presentation in Spanish on a topic of my choice. At first, I didn't find any topic that really excited me. So I decided to lay low and let it come to me. When I woke up on Thursday morning, it hit me, Karma Kitchen!!

As many of you know, it is already difficult enough at times to explain Karma Kitchen and gift enconmy in English, so explaining it in Spanish was a challenge. full story

Trushna

The Gigantic Smile Card

Our theme last Sunday was Joy. Guests answered "What makes you smile?" and Sachi colorfully choreographed a gigantic Smile Card collage which will be offered to a volunteer who was recently hospitalized. Here is some of quotes people shared: "hot chocolate on blustery day", "when someone asks me,...

Nipun

Miles of Smiles

"Though it sounds very cliché I think I changed a little bit from inside after my visit to Karma Kitchen Berkeley. I saw smiles all around… SMILE….. it just lights-up our hearts and spreads happiness like ripples in a pond isn’t it? There are so many things I want to say but words are not enough. I can only say Thank You. Thank you for the car...

Arbinda

The Memorable Check

A woman came up to me this afternoon to ask if she could please take home her "check." Said she wanted to show it to people as "proof" that a place like this exists.

Pavi