Photo Credit: Cramahe Township
With food costs rising and the loss of the local grocery store due to fire, a group of local Cramahe residents are helping to fight hunger by opening the Coventry Relief Kitchen in Colborne.
Treasurer Amanda Hill tells us it’s been tough for the community.
Operating on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, the Coventry Relief Kitchen is open in the downstairs hall at the Pentecostal Church at 89 Division Street in Colborne.
“We won’t turn anyone away,” said Johanna Hill – VP of Coventry Relief Kitchen. “Everyone is welcome, homeless, working poor and of course seniors who often come in for fellowship and conversation too.”
Amanda adds more.
Johanna Hills was a housepainter for 25 years before becoming a personal support worker (PSW) and after retiring becoming a school bus driver.
“It’s a calling for volunteers,” she added. “Never did I think that I could do a restaurant style job, but things just came together for Coventry.”
Although housed at the Pentecostal Church it is non-denominational.
Do you love to cook and have a few hours to spare?
Volunteers are always welcome to help with the prep on Tuesday and service on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Monetary donations are also appreciated. Do you have spare produce from your garden? Can you spare some food supplies?
Johanna Hill says they won’t turn it down.
“We have had the local Home Hardware donate $1,000 and a BBQ and the Legion donated a $1000 dollars and a freezer. The Cramahe Family Thrift Store has also donated and is helping us with kitchen wares. Archers Farms and Cheer Orchards Farms have also donated food too. We are currently raising dollars for the install of a gas stove, an accessible washroom and chair lift to help get folks down the stairs too.” Johanna added.
Wednesday is a Thanksgiving feast, turkey and ham with all the trimmings.
“Each week is different, we have had up to 80 people come, some come in stay, others eat and leave, we just don’t want to see anyone, kids, families, and seniors go hungry.
Dinners are from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm every Wednesday and Thursday, meals are free for everyone. If you are not able to drive to get to Coventry Kitchen, reach out to them by email at coventryreliefkitchen@yahoo.com.
Written by Alicia Vandine
