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To serve food and “show love”
At the feeding station under the freeway, Kay Abe, 81, sets the table for all.
Prompted by her son’s wish to feed the homeless, Kay Abe began serving food in downtown Seattle in 1991.
It’s crowded tonight.
Hungry patrons stand in a line curving around the fence. Men and women of all ages and races patiently wait as Kay Abe rushes around to make last-minute arrangements. Someone can’t locate a knife to serve the pie, but digging through her bag of supplies, Abe finds something that can work.
The last detail taken care of, Abe is ready to serve her guests. Closing her eyes, she gives thanks in prayer. Then dinner begins.
Every Monday through Thursday, Abe serves a full course meal to the homeless of Seattle. Each of those days, she prepares the food, buys desserts and on some days, coordinates with volunteers. She’s 81 years old.
Despite all the work she puts in, Abe or “Momma,” as those she serves call her, doesn’t want any recognition.
For her, service is an extension of her faith.
“The honor goes to the Lord and all the wonderful volunteers,” she says.
Abe grew up in the Seattle area and is the mother of four adult children and four grandchildren. She became involved in feeding the homeless through her son Norman Abe.
“There was a couple, June and David Sparks. June was a Chinese immigrant who married a formerly homeless man. He had a real heart of compassion,” Abe says.
Her son heard about the Sparks’ and wanted to get involved.
“My first thought was that I would have to check it out,” Abe recalled. “I went down there with my son and was inspired.”
She began to help in 1991, 17 years ago. Abe and her son, Norman, would supplement what the Sparks brought. In 1995, when David Sparks became ill and passed away, June stepped down and Abe officially took over.
Abe named the program the Lord’s Table and believes that the meal program’s success is due to God’s blessing.
“Its the Lord’s table not mine,” she says. “I’m totally dependent on God.”
Abe says she has never recruited anyone or asked for any donations.
After several years of moving around, from several church locations to parking lots, the Lord’s Table has ended up in its present location, under I-5, in the shadow of downtown’s Seattle’s skyscrapers and civic landmarks.
Sheltered under the interstate and the roar of cars, just up Cherry Street from the new City Hall, Abe feeds anywhere from 30 to 200 people a night.
“One time the line was up the hill,” Abe says. “Every night it’s [a] different group of people.”
It doesn’t matter who comes to her table, Abe judges no one and loves all.
“By the grace of God we are on the other side of the table, so we cannot judge,” she says. “The greatest thing is for us to show love. Love is the main reason for serving the homeless or showing compassion to anyone.”
It’s no wonder that the Lord’s Table is never short of volunteers.
“Kay is incredible,” says volunteer Linda Tsang.
Tsang helps out at the Lord’s Table every Wednesday. She heard about the program through a church announcement. One night she stopped by and has been volunteering ever since.
“Kay just has a big heart,” Tsang says.
Rose Tom began volunteering with Abe more than nine years ago. She met Kay when she began volunteering with a college church group at her church.
“I took my three little ones and we served with the college kids,” Tom said. “It was a family act.”
Tom says that “Grandma Kay” continues to be an inspiration to her and her family.
“Can you imagine doing this four days a week?” she said. “And she’s 81 years old. When I’m 81 I want to be like her. I don’t want to be in a rocking chair.”
Tsang and Tom aren’t the only ones that have recognized Abe’s service. In 2005 she received the Jefferson Award from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, was named “Hero of Homeless” and one of Seattle’s 25 most beautiful people by Evening Magazine.
Abe laughs off any recognition.
“John Curley from Evening Magazine came down and I thought he was one of the homeless,” recalled Abe. “I told him to get in line.”
When Curley told Abe who he was, she responded that she was too busy cooking to watch his show.
“I told him I don’t want any publicity,” she says. “To tell you the truth I don’t want any recognition.”
The awards don’t matter to Abe. She prefers a simple thank you from those she serves.
“All of them are very grateful. That’s what keeps me going. God’s faithfulness, and the volunteers.”
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