When the coronavirus caused schools to close in Oregon, that meant the end of school lunches for some children. Robin Kindt, owner of Klamath River Gas in Keno, Ore., saw a local mother post on Facebook that she did not know how she would feed her kids. All Kindt could think was, “It’s time for the community to step up.” From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, Kindt, whose store includes a MexiGo Taco Express, gives lunches to children—and whoever else needs it. She uses a gift card at the cash register to pay for the lunches. As of press time, Kindt had received more than $1,000 in donations to fund the meals. And it is not just lunches that Kindt provides. If a senior needs a prescription, she will pick it up. If anyone needs groceries that her store does not sell, she will drive 15 minutes to Klamath Falls to get them. Kindt said she would do it all again, despite the financial hardship the COVID-19 crisis has put on her store. “If this community needs my help in any way, shape or form, and I can do it, I will be there,” Kindt says. “I will always be there.”
Robin Kindt, owner of Klamath River Gas, goes above and beyond to serve clients at her Keno, Ore.-based store. “If it wasn’t for our community, we wouldn’t be open,” Kindt says.