The Kitchens's medical services began in 1985 from a donated van in the alley behind the Missouri Hotel, the renovated building on historic Commercial Street that provides temporary housing for those struggling to rehabilitate their lives. The van clinic was staffed by a volunteer nurse and a physician who made monthly visits.
In 1987, the Clinic moved to one room in The Missouri Hotel. Through the years, the Clinic expanded its staff and increased its patient load, moving to larger, but still inadequate spaces, until 1993 when Clarence and Edna Wheeler donated the current facility. The spacious building at 1630 North Jefferson Avenue was remodeled with a generous grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health in 2006.
The Kitchen Clinic provides services with the support and cooperation of the professional health care community and the dedicated services of hundreds of volunteers. Services are provided through grants, cash donations, generous contributions of medical supplies, over-the-counter medicines and prescription drugs.
