From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — A Trussville restaurant owner is pitching in for the homeless this Christmas season.
Brian Kemp, of Kemp’s Kitchen, will be offering breakfast in downtown Birmingham for a local non-profit.
The Just People Project is a faith-based initiative that serves the homeless with immediate needs, helps build relationships and tries to help those in need build a relationship with Jesus. They approached Kemp to help serve 150 people. Not only did he agree to the good deed, but he is also offering to deliver the food to Linn Park.
Kemp said he felt led to help The Just People Project because he appreciates their efforts, thanks to his Christian upbringing.
“I drive by the 459 entrance at Highway 11 every day and there’s always someone who is homeless out there,” said Kemp. “It makes you stop and think about people and think about how much I’ve been blessed to have a business and how there are people who are not as privileged as I am.”
Kemp pointed out Bible verse Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Kemp said that Bible verse is something he has always lived by.
“I just want to try to give them some hope and show them that people care,” said Kemp. “There are different reasons that people are in those situations and a lot of times they don’t have a lot of hope.”
After hearing success stories from people who have been homeless, it is Kemp’s hope that each and every person sees they have potential.
“They can contribute to society also, so I am just trying to bring some of that hope to them this season,” Kemp explained.
Beth Box, with The Just People Project, said she is thankful to have compassionate community members who are willing to help during the holidays.
“I told him our budget and he worked with us,” said Box. “We need more of this in the world today!”
The Just People Project serves meals, toiletries, clothing, provides dentures and transports the homeless to church.
Another effort Kemp has made is what he calls the “Pay it Forward Board.” He placed a bulletin board in front of the restaurant for others to pay it forward by leaving free meals for others. Kemp started the board off with two free meals and he said it didn’t take long for the idea to get noticed.
“Everybody in the community has come in and paid for that,” said Kemp. “It’s full right now and people can come in and use that for their payment.”
Kemp’s Kitchen is located at 1423 Gadsden Highway, Suite 131, Birmingham, AL 35235.