25 Years of Fighting Hunger
On March 6th, Community Kitchen quietly served 425 meals without the pomp and circumstance that sometimes accompanies a milestone of 25 years. While our staff and volunteers treated this day as every other and focused on feeding the hungry in our community, this milestone passed mostly unnoticed. Community Kitchen was a brainstorm of the “Survival ‘til Spring” group during the winter of 1983 to help meet critical human needs during the recession of 1983. The Kitchen began serving hot meals at the then Christian Center (now Monroe County United Ministries) on Sunday, March 6th. They reported 15 meals served on that first day and 55 two days later. The meal in those early days consisted of hot soup, cheese, crackers and a beverage. 25 years later due to compassionate community members, Community Kitchen serves a much heartier meal, preparing from scratch, what we call “hearty American fare” – main dishes like spaghetti, chicken and rice, Etoufee, gumbo, etc., along with a side dish, fruit, vegetable, desserts and beverages. We serve six days a week instead of three. And we always prepare a vegetarian option for those whose conscience or diet requires they skip the meat.
Originally only slated to be in operation until the end of April 1983, Community Kitchen, 25 years later, is at its busiest. In 2007, we served a record number of meals – 152,516. 41% of those meals went to children and another 27% went to seniors. For the amazing community support that has brought us this far, we owe a 25 year debt of gratitude. Thank you!