Announcer: The views and opinions expressed in to the point are those of the host of the program and its guests.

They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of WGTE public media.

Doni: President Jimmy Carter once stated that a peaceful world cannot exist if on third of the population is rich, while two thirds are hungry.

The late Reverend Harvey Savage senior agreed and established the Martin Luther King Kitchen for the poor in 1969.

In response to the urgent need to feed the hungry and his community, locate in the central city of Toledo, the kitchen provide meals for over 200 people daily, including the school children and the elderly.

Join u as we discuss with Harvey Savage Junior ways you can help tackle this urgent community issue.

And taking a break from his very busy workshop, Santa joins us directly from the North Pole.

I'm Donnie Miller, and welcome... To the Point.

You can connect with us on our social media pages.

And, you know, you can always email me at doni_miller@wgte.org.

For this episode and any other additional extras that you might want to view.

Go to wgte.org./to the point.

It's Christmas time.

And while it is a time of joy and happiness for many of us we're shopping for our families.

We're even doin a little shopping for ourselves.

One of the things I think that we don't think about often enough are those folks in the community who are struggling with food insecurity.

And I want to introduce you to, Harvey Savage Jr who was the executive director of the Martin Luther King Kitchen for the Poor.

But before we talk to, Mr. Savage, I want to tell you that there are very few people in this community with the kind of dedication to serving this community.

As, Mr. Savage has, has and has had over decades and decades and decades when I moved to Toledo, when your dad was one of the first names that, somebody said to me, you know, you got to go meet him because he really is abou helping to serve this community.

Harvey: Know what?

We love people.

And if you love people, it's it's really not hard, you know, it's it' something that you want to do.

Doni: Yeah, I think I think what, what I think is hard about your work.

And you need to know that, his dad was the one who established the Martin Luther King Kitchen for the poor.

As I said in the intro, serving over 200 meals a day, you know, elderly school kids, anybody who walks through the door.

Harvey: Yeah.

Back.

Yeah.

When dad's started they would, even do breakfast.

This was before we had the school lunches for a lot of the children.

And so we've been here 55 years.

So we started in 1969.

So.

So that's, quite an accomplishment.

And so.

And we're very proud of that.

The thing that we see righ now, though, is that the need is as is just as grea as it was when it was started.

Doni: I think is greater.

Harvey: Yeah.

And I agree.

And, I honestly, I do too, because I see, a lot more seniors as well as, the young people, you know, in need.

And so when we make an effort to, serve everyone, you know, now, we, we, are located in the junction area.

And so, you know, we get a lot of junction young people, but we serve, anyone?

You don't have to live in a junction area to, receive our services.

Doni: And the other thing that I love about what you do is you will you will give food to anybody who walks in that door, regardless of their race or their political beliefs or their their sex or whatever, whatever whomever needs that food, you give that to them and you give it to them with compassion and love and dignity.

Harvey: You know, we have to respect them and love them.

You know, they're here just like we are, and we don't know what circumstances.

That's right Put them in need of the kitchen.

We don't know that, all of us might, have need of the kitchen at some point, and we don't know, where we're going to go, you know, as a country and things of that nature.

Doni: That's right.

Are you surprised at the increased number of elderly folks coming through your kitchen?

Harvey: Yes, I am.

You know, we, we had a giveaway at I can't remember.

Well enough it was turkeys or what, but I saw, elderly in wheelchairs and saw them on walkers.

I saw them on canes comin to get what we were giving away.

And so, you know and that led me to think that, you know, we are really having a tough time as seniors.

You know, I'm a senior myself and and I understand, you know, when you have a fixed income.

And food costs go up substantially.

It affects you pretty negatively.

Doni: Absolutely.

And I think many seniors, really thought that Social Securit would be enough to the segment.

It's not, it's not it's not enough to live on for most Americans.

Right.

Harvey: Not right.

You know, so, you know, if you made a prett decent salary, you get a decent Social Security check but still it's it's not enough.

And hopefully you have a pension and any other resources for one and those, those kind of things.

But everyone that have that benefit.

You know so s we have to take a look at that.

Doni: We absolutely.

Do you do are your your meals are all home cooked.

Your meals are all home cooked right?

Harvey: Well yeah.

Yeah yeah I guess you call them home.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Doni: In that kitchen.

Yeah.

Harvey: And they're great.

You know we get accolades for our cooks.

Henrietta, my sister, she's the head cook there, and she does a great job.

Yeah.

And so?

So we have a lot of people that like what we do.

We are affiliated pretty tightly with the Toledo Seagate Food Bank.

And so, so they help us a lot.

Doni: And it's another great organization.

Harvey: Right.

And so, so we came up together their mothers started the food ban and my dad started the kitchen.

And in fact their mother was on our board originally.

And so, so we have been close to all of our lives, you know, all of our adult lives anyway.

Doni: Are you still giving are you still giving ingredients away to people who com so that they can cook at home?

Harvey: Right.

We give, a meal, but we also normally give other, items.

Other food items.

You know we sometimes we have chickens, we have fish, we we we have commodities.

You know, if you need sugar and all the basics, we give those away also.

Along with the meal most days.

Doni: And you exist through grant funds and donations.

Is that right.

Harvey: Donations are the main thrust of how we survive.

The dislike I've got the firefighters union coming out tomorrow.

They're bringing a nice check.

So I'm going to see them tomorrow.

So, so, but we have donations are our main, funding.

We get, some money through Cdbg funding and, and we get a small donation through FEMA and, that's basically it for government.

Other than grants that we get, had a substantial grant through ProMedica a couple of years ago.

Right.

So, so those kind of things, they really, Doni: Help you?

Yeah.

And you also.

So people can certainly donate.

They can volunteer as well.

Harvey: Right?

I always tell them, you know, contact Henrietta and see what we've got going.

You know, we've got, ten employees, but then we had about 5 or 6, regular, volunteer or so.

So we it depends on what we have going on.

And I tell them, don't don't get to get it too crowded with the workers unless there's certain people that's coming through.

Have a little a. Doni: Little room to... That's exactly right.

That's right.

So if So there's lots there's lots of information on your website.

It's a great website.

Just Google Kitchen, Marti Luther King Kitchen for the poor in Toledo.

And it comes right up and it tells you, how you can volunteer.

It tells you how you can donate, it tells you all the great things that are going on in, in your, organization.

Harvey: Right.

You know, the website gives you all the information you need for donating.

We have, a few ways to donate.

It's good to get on there and take a look.

You take a look at a board.

It lets you know that we're, certified by BBG and, one of the other organizations that that, certify, us as being business worthy and donation worthy.

And so, I like for people to at least, take a look at that and know that.

Doni: Also, it's a great website.

And, before we go, we just have a couple minutes left.

Is there any, d people have to bring paperwork?

Do they have to apply to get food or can they just show up?

Harvey: No, they just show up.

We do, food boxes.

We require that you have an I.D.. And we only give our, HUD food boxes every other month.

There is a substantia amount of food, so if you are, coming in looking at that, you need to bring an I.D.

for that.

But other than that, just show up.

Doni: Just show up.

Yeah.

I want to thank you for, for what you guys are doing and especially for the dignity that you give the folks that are coming through your organization.

It's it's tough sometimes to ask for help.

Harvey: You know, and we're helping other organizations.

We work with, a little friendly center.

We send meals there.

We also work with, believe center.

We supplying of food for, the children's programs that they, have.

In fact, they just had their Christmas, this past.

Doni: That's right.

They did.

Harvey: And, so.

Well, we were, part and parcel of that, you know, we, we bought the breakfast foods and so, so we, work with them, all the time, and we take car of their summer programs also.

Doni: Yeah, lots o lots of children going through.

Harvey: There.

They do a great job.

And so there are a lot of children there.

And so we, really do like to work, programs with programs that work with children, because the earlier we star getting involved in their lives, the better it's going to be.

You know, a lot of times we wait till all of a sudden they're teenagers and, boy, they're hard to deal with.

Doni: Yeah, it's hard to deal with.

Harvey: Yeah, it is difficult, but you can catch em young, you know, you can help develop them.

Doni: And food is critical, right?

Food is critical to their growth.

And their ability to learn and their ability to thrive.

Thank you so much.

Harvey: And thank you for having us.

And we really appreciate you and what you're doing.

Also, thank you.

Doni: Merry Christmas.

Harvey: Merry Christmas.

Doni: Thank you so much for joining us.

We will be right back.

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Doni: Hey.

Welcome back.

And as you know, you can connect with us on our social media pages.

Or you can email me at doni_miller@wgte.org.

And as I always tell you, if you want to see this episode again and I'm sure you will want to or any other, extras, just go to wgte.org/To that point, it is my honor to introduce to you straight from the North Pole.

Our exclusive interview with Santa.

Santa.

It's so cool to have you here.

Santa: Thank you for inviting me.

Doni: I never.

Thought in.

All my years that I would ge to sit across from Santa Claus.

Santa: Wow.

You've been on the nice list for a long time.

Doni: Well, thank you, I have, I try, I really work at it I really, I really work at it.

So I was, I was really wanting to share this time with you with lots of other people.

So we've collected questions from people in the building, in the studio and children around the world.

Or.

Actually.

Who have real questions about what you do and how you get things done.

And that's a pretty snazzy outfit, by the way, too.

I want to thank you.

I to say that you're like, dress up for all.

Santa: You know, this is for being a little casual.

You know, you don't wea every the same outfit that I do and Santas visiting.

They expect them to be in this winter coat.

So he's in his winter coat.

Doni: Well, one of the questions that I have for you is, exactl how far is it to the North Pole?

Santa: Well for those in Toledo, it's it's easy to think of.

They know about how far it is to Florida.

Well, it's twice as far from Toledo to the North Pole as it is to Florida.

So that gives you an idea of how far it is.

And you know, dependin on which reindeer we're using, we can get here fairly quickly, certain days.

But, you know, we try not to where, you know, the main team in training for Christmas Eve.

So we don't use them in December or November.

But we have a couple of the reindeer.

They get me to the airport, usually about, 20, 30 minutes, and then they get to play with those white tail and oak openings while I'm out visiting.

They keep a car for me at the airport.

Doni: Like, are you still using Rudolph?

He's going to be pretty old.

Santa: Rudolph's been with us since the late 30s.

You know, the rest of the team has been around for 200 years, so, we we think they they do.

But you got to remember, time's a little different at the North Pole.

We only get one day a year.

Doni: Well, that's true, that's true.

So how how do you get all of this work done?

Santa: Oh, it's a lot of work.

And it's a lot of, you know, we're fortunate we have some good geothermal, energy plants up there.

And the elves are able to do some good, hydroponic lab, lighting.

And, we, we use a lot of artificial lighting up that much during the winter time.

Doni: Well, I know you're busy because I tried to.

I tried to get one of your elves to come today, and they said you wouldn't let them.

Santa: Oh, not at this time.

No, they're all they're all working very hard.

You know, we today, we don't have that many more days till Christmas Eve.

So we got to get everything packed up and ready to go.

Doni: So let me ask you that.

People don't really know muc about you outside of Christmas.

And that's really too bad, because I know that that you have a life of your own and which you are.

When this is all done, what do you do to relax?

Santa: Oh well, you know, Santa likes to, listen to some good music.

Doni: And what kind of music do you like?

Santa: Well Santa likes all kind of music.

He's anything, you know.

I'll just tell you right out.

Great performance is one of Santas favorite things to check out.

Really?

Well, we know that.

Yeah, we.

Between the, the Broadway productions, the concerts and all the all that good entertainment and arts.

Doni And of course, to the point you.

Santa: Oh, yeah, of.

Course, of course, to the point.

Doni: So great music you like to listen to.

Yeah.

What else?

Santa: Oh, you know, Mrs. Claus and I like to dance when we get a chance.

Doni: Okay.

Santa: You might not know that.

Doni: I didn't know that.

Santa: Well, you know, if you've read Mr. Dickens Christmas Carol you'll recall that they talking about the fuzzy wigs leading the dance and actually really dancing hard, you know, not just walking through the steps.

They actually danced the dances.

Wow.

Doni: You're amazing.

You're just amazing.

I what do you.

We all have these expectations about you.

And you know, which is reall pretty phenomenal for somebody who shows up really just once a year.

You know it's it's really pretty amazing.

What do you find to be your biggest challenge?

Well, the thing Santa.

Santa: One of the biggest challenges is, you know, we listen to the wishe and hopes and dreams of all the children, and they sometimes come through with some very difficult questions that, you know, Santa brings gifts, he brings toys.

Santa can't heal, broken relationships.

He can't bring back people who have lost their lives.

And some of those are very hard to, to, to, comfort the child, to say, you know, there's only so much Santa can do.

Doni So I never thought about that.

Santa: You know, they ask and and that's one of the most difficult things Santa deals with.

I'm a regular.

I'm fairly regular basis.

Unfortunate like.

Doni: That must make you and Mrs. Claus sad.

Santa: Well, it's sad, you know, any, you know, sad to see any child not being cared for.

Yeah.

And any child who has suffered a great loss of innocence, of love.

Yeah.

It's very difficult.

Doni: It's very difficult.

I'm sure, I'm sure.

What are.

What's something that you absolutely love.

Santa: Oh, well like I said, we love to dance, which most people probably don't know.

You know, with love, obviously we love good food.

We get Santa gets a lot of cookies on Christmas Eve.

Oh, yeah.

Doni: I've, I bet you know, this crew here loves to eat.

They really love, love to eat.

You know, Angel and and Shane and Nate and Caleb and the list goes on and on.

All they ever talk about is food.

Oh, well it's all they ever talk about.

What's your favorite food?

Santa: Well, Santa.

Santa likes a lot of different things.

You know, when it comes to, a well cooked meal, you know, you have you have a good you know, a good roasted turkey.

Who's going to turn that down?

Oh, yeah.

Or, you know, a nice fresh made apple pie with ice vanilla ice cream on top.

Doni: That's how you keep that.

That, Santa figure, Santa: We worked on, not getting too big.

Doni: So does Mrs. Claus do the cooking or do you?

Santa: Well, we both do a little bit.

I mean, obviously, everyone thinks of Mrs. Claus baking cookies, but, you know, that's not really true.

She's actually in charge of the North Pole.

Yes.

Yeah.

You know who's up?

Who's at the North Pole?

Well, I'm.

Doni: Guessing not true.

Santa: Mrs. Claus.

She's the one making sure all the elves are staying on task because, you know, they're going to play as they get a chance.

They're going to go play instead of doing their work.

Yeah.

And so Mrs. Claus is in charge of that, and, and.

Doni: It's a massive operation.

So, Mrs. Claus, we have to, you know, be in charge of it.

Santa: She she she is, basically, you know, this one happen without her.

Yeah.

Doni: So how many elves ar you actually in your workshop?

Santa: Well, we have 971,583 elves working today, right?

Doni: So no kidding.

Santa: Well, you know, there's a lot of presents to make.

We have scout elves, watching children in their homes.

As you may know, we have.

Doni: No, I didn't know that.

You don't know about this.

You've got scout elves.

Santa: Yes.

They sit on shelves or on trees, and they every night they come back to North Pole Report, and then they get back and they find some place to watch the children and.

Doni: Those are your elves.

Santa: Oh, yes.

Doni: Oh, my.

I did not know.

Yes.

And so they and then they, they go back and they report to you whether you know.

Santa: Well actually they report to one of my head elves and if there's any major problems, they bring it to me because, you know, there's so many of them working.

I can't answer every single one of them every night.

I have to do so.

Doni: Yeah.

So yeah, I get that.

So, you know, we always thought that, as fair a guy as you are and as as hard as you try to make sure you know, everything is equal, that you have a favorite elf.

I'm sorry.

Favorite reindeer?

Wow.

Favorite reindeer.

Santa: You know, all of them.

You know, that's like asking who's your favorite child?

And, you know, so.

Doni: Rudolph isn't your favorite.

Santa: Well, anyone you know, everyone asks about Rudolph and they forget about the other.

Oh, there's.

Doni: Dasher dancer and.

Santa: Cupid, Dunder and Blitzen.

Nobody asks about them.

And you know I have other reindeer too, because they said those that main team, they're busy getting ready for Christmas, I so I have other reindeer that get me around.

And you know, the elves, you reindeer to help me stage presence throughout the world so we don't have to keep going back to the North Pole to, refill the sleigh.

Doni: So what time do yo actually start your journey?

Oh.

Santa: You know, we we start as early as we can, you know, once it becomes midnight in the middle of the Pacific.

And then we have, we have about 34 to 37 hours to actually do the entire world on Christmas Eve.

Doni So we only have a minute left.

What's your wish for Christmas?

Santa: My Christmas wish for everyon to first be off the naughty list and to remember to care for those around them.

Doni: Oh yes, oh yes, kindness.

Santa: And remember that peopl are more important than things.

Doni: Yes yes yes I hope that I like that and I hope this exact same thing.

A little peace on earth.

Santa: Well, that's part of the peopl are more important than things.

Yes.

Yes.

Doni: Thank you so much.

I'm putting cookie and, hot chocolate out for you.

Santa: Oh, thank you.

Doni: Thank you all for joining us.

Have a wonderful holiday and we'll see you next time.

Announcer: The views and opinions expressed in To the Point are those of the host of the program and its guests.

They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of public media.

To the point is supporte in part by American Rescue Plan Act fund allocated by the City of Toledo and the Lucas County Commissioners and administered by the Arts Commission.

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Thank you.