Karlee Foss, right, serves food Wednesday to someone in need at Kennedy Park in downtown Lewiston. The Lewiston woman was once homeless and now tries to give back to those who are experiencing homelessness. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

LEWISTON — Karlee Foss served food to roughly 30 people Wednesday evening in Kennedy Park and people continued to come after the pans were empty.

A man came up and Foss told him all that was left was sauce. He filled his plate with sauce and left.

“To come by food when you live on the streets is really hard,” said Foss.

She would know. She’s been there.

“I went hungry many nights,” she said. “Longest five years of my life.”

Foss now has a one-bedroom apartment next to Kennedy Park and does what she can to help those who are experiencing what she did. She is active in the downtown community and serves on various committees dealing with issues ranging from sex trafficking to ending hunger.

After the advisory council on hunger meeting she attended Tuesday evening, Foss was faced with leftovers that had been served to members of the council. Foss gathered up the trays of food and stuffed them in her apartment fridge.

She brought the food over to the park the following evening and in no time, a steady line formed.

Karlee Foss, right, serves food Wednesday to those in need at Kennedy Park in downtown Lewiston. The Lewiston woman was once homeless and now tries to give back to those who are experiencing homelessness. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Rodney Horning said people like Foss make a “huge difference.” He noted that Foss is one of a few that come to the park to feed those in need throughout the week.

“We try to help when we can,” said Cheyanne Rodriguez as she helped Foss serve food. “Times are tough, but we are all humans. We should be helping each other.”

“We were all homeless at one time,” said Foss. “By the fifth year, I was giving up. I was at my breaking point and then I got the call.”

Foss was on a waiting list for Avesta Housing, a provider of affordable housing for those in need. “That call changed my life around,” said Foss.

“Now I am doing my best to make some kind of change,” said Foss. “I’m happiest when people are fed.”