The Franciscan Kitchen was founded in 1980 by Friar Jim Fields. While serving in the U.S. Navy Seabees on Okinawa during World War II, he saw poor people searching in the garbage for food. That experience affected him for the rest of his life.

Today the work of feeding the hungry continues through the dedication and hard work of a small staff and more than 200 regular volunteers. It is not unusual for the number of meals served to average over 500 each day.