For nearly a decade, Kingdom for Christ Kitchen, now known as Bread of Life, has quietly shown up every Sunday with hot, well-rounded meals, warm smiles, and open hearts for Spokane’s unhoused community. This year, that unwavering commitment to service was recognized when Sally January and Kingdom for Christ Kitchen were honored at the Spokane Chapter of The Links, Incorporated’s Annual Pillar Awards and White Rose Brunch.
For Sally, the recognition was deeply meaningful, but not because of the spotlight.
“It was truly an honor,” she says. “To be recognized by an organization like The Links, whose mission is rooted in service and strengthening our communities, was incredibly humbling. But the award doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to every volunteer who shows up on Sunday, every person who donates food or money, every church that opens its doors, and everyone who believes our unhoused neighbors deserve compassion and dignity.”
Kingdom for Christ Kitchen began with a simple promise.
After experiencing homelessness from 2006 to 2016, founder Louis Bonds vowed that if he ever had the opportunity, he would dedicate his life to feeding people experiencing homelessness. His wife, Cynthia Bonds, was equally passionate about serving families living at Richard Allen Court Apartments. Their shared calling became Kingdom for Christ Kitchen, a ministry dedicated to ensuring no one is forgotten.
When Louis and Cynthia moved to Wisconsin in 2024 to care for family, leadership passed to Sally January, Debra Cano, and Charles Williams, who have faithfully continued the work.
As the ministry grew, so did its vision. In 2026, the organization officially changed its name from Kingdom for Christ Kitchen to Bread of Life. While the name reflects a broader vision for the future, the heart of the ministry remains the same: serving nutritious, home-cooked meals with compassion, dignity, and unconditional love. Inspired by the words of Jesus in John 6:35, the new name symbolizes not only the importance of meeting physical needs, but also the ministry’s commitment to nourishing hope, restoring dignity, and building community.
“There was never really a question about whether we would continue,” Sally explains. “The need didn’t disappear just because leadership changed. If anything, it has grown. Changing our name to Bread of Life wasn’t about leaving our past behind, but rather about embracing the future while honoring the foundation Louis and Cynthia built. We wanted a name that reflected who we are today and the hope we strive to bring to every person we serve.”
Every Sunday, volunteers prepare meals at Bethel A.M.E Church and distribute nearly 100 home-cooked meals throughout downtown Spokane. On the third Sunday of each month, they also continue Cynthia’s vision by serving residents of Richard Allen Court Apartments.
For Sally, however, the ministry has never been just about food.
“People need nourishment, but they also need kindness,” she says. “Many of the people we serve have experienced rejection, loss, or isolation. Sometimes a smile, a conversation, or simply hearing someone say, ‘I’m glad to see you today,’ can mean just as much as the meal itself.”
She believes one of the greatest misconceptions about homelessness is that it’s easy to judge from the outside.
“People often assume they know someone’s story,” Sally says. “But homelessness doesn’t happen for just one reason. We’ve met veterans, grandparents, young adults aging out of foster care, people escaping domestic violence, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and people dealing with mental illness or addiction. Every person has a story, and every story deserves compassion.”
That compassion is what motivates Sally to return week after week.
“I don’t do this because I think I can solve homelessness by myself,” she says. “I do it because every person deserves to know they’re worthy of love. If we can give someone a warm meal and remind them they matter, even for a few moments, that’s worth everything.”
When asked what receiving the Pillar Award meant personally, Sally grew reflective.
“Awards are wonderful because they shine a light on the work,” she says. “If this recognition inspires someone else to volunteer, donate, or simply look at their unhoused neighbor with a little more empathy, then that’s the greatest reward. Recognition comes and goes, but service is something we choose every week.”
Looking ahead, Sally dreams of expanding Bread of Life’s outreach beyond meals.
“We’d love to provide more clothing, blankets, hygiene products, socks, gloves, whatever helps someone make it through another day with dignity. Food opens the door, but caring for the whole person is our goal.”
She is quick to emphasize that none of the ministry’s work happens alone.
“We’re blessed with faithful volunteers, generous donors, Bethel A.M.E., and organizations like Northwest Harvest. This ministry is proof of what can happen when a community comes together with compassion instead of judgment.”
As the conversation comes to a close, Sally reflects on the message she hopes people take away, not just from the award, but from Bread of Life itself.
“I hope people remember that everyone is someone’s child. Everyone has value. We don’t ask whether someone deserves a meal before we feed them. We simply serve because that’s what Christ calls us to do. Love doesn’t come with conditions, and neither should compassion.”
The Pillar Award recognizes those who strengthen the community through service and leadership. For Sally January and Bread of Life, that recognition is not a finish line; it’s simply another reminder to keep doing what they’ve always done.
Every Sunday. One home-cooked meal. One conversation. One act of love at a time.