top of page
The KC Foundation
Founded by Katlyn Knudsen in January 2020
In memory of Katlyn’s Dad
Christian S. Knudsen, Jr.
Our Story
My Dad was a home builder who took great pride in his work helping Maryland families build the home of their dreams. When business was good and even when times were tight, I grew up witnessing my Dad’s giving to our community. During the Holiday Season, we would go shopping for families in need in our area. Giving back was Dad’s nature.
When the housing market collapsed in 2008, like countless others in the housing industry, my Dad lost everything. Our family was thrust from a carefree life to being financially insecure, housing insecure, and even food insecure. Financial distress exacts a toll on our physical and mental health. My Dad died suddenly, in his sleep, in January 2015.
As you can probably imagine, the years after were challenging. I did a LOT of soul searching, job changing, moving, hoping to find something to fill the gaping hole in my heart this loss left. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, I saw an opportunity to help. I wanted to support families in the city for the holidays, and instead my efforts turned into a large food giveaway that spiraled into continued food giveaways during the holiday season and months following. I was proud to be able to help anyone in need during those difficult times. I met so many wonderful, like-minded people who wanted to help and realized this was something that I wanted to continue.
Fast forward to July of 2021, I connected with the Family Support Center of MD, a local Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program in need of food for their clients. This relationship began the next chapter for the KC Foundation. With the support of other local non-profits, the food donations began to flow and I was able to help support these clients. Some homeless or in transition during recovery, many were unsure of where their next meal would come from. We began collecting not only food donations, but coats and clothing during the winter months, and now even furniture to help ease transitions between homes or into a first home.
There are days when the loss of my Dad is still overwhelming. There are days when I would do anything to be able to call him or time travel back to those years where I had him around. But every time I’m able to provide someone with a meal, or a coat on a cold day, it eases the pain and I remember how important it is to help whenever we can, no matter the situation. Life is too short.
I am excited to see what the future holds for the KC Foundation and Family Support Center of MD as we grow together to help support and rebuild this community.
- Katlyn Knudsen, President (January 2020)
When the housing market collapsed in 2008, like countless others in the housing industry, my Dad lost everything. Our family was thrust from a carefree life to being financially insecure, housing insecure, and even food insecure. Financial distress exacts a toll on our physical and mental health. My Dad died suddenly, in his sleep, in January 2015.
As you can probably imagine, the years after were challenging. I did a LOT of soul searching, job changing, moving, hoping to find something to fill the gaping hole in my heart this loss left. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, I saw an opportunity to help. I wanted to support families in the city for the holidays, and instead my efforts turned into a large food giveaway that spiraled into continued food giveaways during the holiday season and months following. I was proud to be able to help anyone in need during those difficult times. I met so many wonderful, like-minded people who wanted to help and realized this was something that I wanted to continue.
Fast forward to July of 2021, I connected with the Family Support Center of MD, a local Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program in need of food for their clients. This relationship began the next chapter for the KC Foundation. With the support of other local non-profits, the food donations began to flow and I was able to help support these clients. Some homeless or in transition during recovery, many were unsure of where their next meal would come from. We began collecting not only food donations, but coats and clothing during the winter months, and now even furniture to help ease transitions between homes or into a first home.
There are days when the loss of my Dad is still overwhelming. There are days when I would do anything to be able to call him or time travel back to those years where I had him around. But every time I’m able to provide someone with a meal, or a coat on a cold day, it eases the pain and I remember how important it is to help whenever we can, no matter the situation. Life is too short.
I am excited to see what the future holds for the KC Foundation and Family Support Center of MD as we grow together to help support and rebuild this community.
- Katlyn Knudsen, President (January 2020)
bottom of page