The founder of a program that feeds people in Chinatown every Saturday and two of her volunteers received presidential volunteer service awards at the state Capitol last week.

Sharon Black, of 'Aiea, started the Kau Kau Wagon in 1985.

Back then, the program helped a few dozen people each weekend, serving sandwiches, a few snacks and some punch. These days, Black and her dozens of volunteers serve more than 200 people every Saturday at the corner of Bethel and Hotel streets. Black said the number of people coming out for a meal has increased by about 100 over the past year alone, to about 230 to 250 people.

A week ago on Saturday, 232 people came out.

In addition to Black, who received the gold presidential volunteer service award, volunteers Jonathan Ofori and Fitzroy Smith received bronze presidential service awards at a ceremony Monday with Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona.

Black said she was honored and humbled to receive an award for something she would do even if she weren't recognized. She added that as a kid she dreamed she would grow up to help others — and now she's happy to have realized it.

At the ceremony, Aiona praised Black and the other volunteers for their dedication.

"Hawai'i has no shortage of giving people," he said. "They do not volunteer their time and resources to be recognized, but we believe it is important to mark their achievements as well as the excellent model they have set for their fellow citizens. Thank you for ... making our state a better place."

The gold presidential volunteer service award is given to those who have volunteered more than 500 hours in their communities. The bronze award is given to those who have volunteered more than 100 hours. Recipients must be nominated.

Across the country, some 400,000 people have received the awards.

Smith, a chief warrant officer in the Army, started volunteering on Saturdays at the Kau Kau Wagon in June after hearing about it through a friend. He said volunteering with Kau Kau makes him feel like he's making a difference.

"It's something I love doing," he said.

Ofori, the other award recipient, is also in the military. He moves to Alabama today, but planned to be at the Kau Kau Wagon one last time yesterday. He started volunteering there about nine months ago, and he said those who come out for food are always grateful and kind.

"When they say 'thank you,' you can tell it's sincere," he said.

Black said she hopes to continue the Kau Kau Wagon for years to come. The shoestring nonprofit gets mostly small donations to keep running. It has no headquarters. Black keeps the nonprofit's books and stores food, collapsible tables, plastic bags, even toys for children at her cramped townhouse.

She said she and her gang of volunteers are in Chinatown rain or shine.

They've never missed a Saturday.

And they've never turned anyone away.

"If you want something to eat," she said, "you eat."