By Cecilia Nasmith
The community-based response to a vital need continues to roll along, with the grand opening now in sight.
Colborne's Coventry Relief Kitchen invites everyone to the big event on Aug. 19, running from 1 to 3 p.m. on the premises of the the Colborne Pentecostal Church at 89 Division St.
Once it is fully operational, the plan is to offer full dinners two days a week from 3 to 7 p.m.
It's something a dedicated group of volunteers has hoped to bring to the community since Joehanna Hill began the project last January – building on a program at Prospect Church, which not only has a food bank but also offers soup and sandwiches Mondays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
But a good hot meal is only one thing Coventry Relief Kitchen will offer. In a recent interview, volunteer Bill Huras expressed the hope that it will address some of the spiritual needs of the community – the senior who may feel isolated and just wish for a place to go, for example, or the cash-strapped busy mother who could use a break from worrying about what she will feed her kids for supper.
The project was blessed with the support of Pastor Sid Benson of Colborne Pentecostal Church, who donated their unused space in the basement. From there, the work began – not to mention the research on all the requirements and regulations that come with setting up such an operation, from accessibility measures to health standards to the professional operational model that is a prerequisite to apply for grants.
“It's been a lot of work, but it's been fun – it's been a journey,” Huras said.
Discovering what things cost has been an eye-opener, for example, like the $2,000 they have paid for liability insurance or the $8,000 for a proper stove and suppression system.
But it's done now. The floors and walls have been painted, the new cupboards and countertops are installed, and the space comfortably seats 100.
The support within the community continues, he added. The Colborne Legion, Home Hardware and Beyond the Blue Box have donated $1,000 each, and he has personally approached more than 30 different businesses for help. Between that and their yard sales and barbecues, they have raised about $6,500.
And the in-kind support is also heartfelt. For example, with the old Queen's Hotel reopening, they are donating the pots and pans from their kitchen that they are replacing.
Meanwhile, there are a couple of activities leading up to the big day, starting with a fundraiser this Saturday – a garage sale at 147 Honey Rd., Colborne, running “from 7 to whenever.”
The following Saturday, Aug. 12, is Trash 'n' Treasures Day in Colborne, and Coventry Relief Kitchen is participating. Not only can you check out anything left from the garage sale, but you can take a break at their free barbecue from noon to 3 p.m. (though donations are more than welcome).
And the following Saturday, mark your calendar for the grand opening.
