Mrs Harvey-Griggs said she had contacted the Rotorua District Council's environmental health services department and been told to lay off the crew for two weeks.
But she also knows that a lot of families rely on the Thursday meal service. "It's hard to stomach, I feel sick," she said.
"A lot of these people don't have good health to begin with. This is a social responsibility.
"I've got all my crew off now and need to get the word out that if you were there on Thursday you might have been exposed to chickenpox."
She said there were a couple of pregnant women at the dinner.
Chickenpox is even more serious for pregnant women and people who have a reduced immune response.
Chickenpox during pregnancy can cause poor growth of the baby or even stillbirth and can spread to the baby during birth.
Anyone who is pregnant and thinks they have been exposed to chickenpox can have a blood test to check whether they are immune. "We also need some help with food this week from local businesses, as our crew can't work.
"We can serve pre-packaged food or food prepared in a registered kitchen this Thursday night for the community who depend on us."
She said Fat Dog Cafe prepared 70 litres of soup for the group and were "great supporters" of the community kitchen.
"I can't put this on them. If anyone can help out on Thursday, that would be great. We have people who rely on this, because they don't have anything else. It's been school holidays and a lot of people are broke."
Rotorua District Council senior environmental health officer Allan Culpan said their advice was in line with the requirements of the Food Hygiene Regulations and the Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations acts.
He said one of their environmental health officers had been contacted by the Community Kai Kitchen to advise about the chickenpox.
"The council's advice was that he [the chef] shouldn't be involved in food preparation this week and should seek a medical clearance before returning to duties," he said.
"The kitchen was also advised to inform other staff that they may have been exposed to chickenpox as a result.
"Premises where food is prepared or served have an obligation to exclude any infected staff until they can be cleared."
• If you are able to help out, please email Karen at karen@rotoruacommunitykai.co.nz or call (027) 304 3526.
If you think you have chickenpox, see your doctor immediately.
Chickenpox
• Is a virus spread through the air by infected people when they sneeze or cough, and by contact with chickenpox blisters.
• Is contagious from five days before the blisters appears. It's most infectious in the last two days.
• Stays contagious until all the blisters have crusted over and no new ones are appearing.
• Avoid close contact with other people. Keep children home from school or day care.
• Other symptoms are tiredness, fever, general aches and pains.
• Chickenpox is serious for pregnant women and people who have a reduced immune response.
