After some five months of preparations, discussion and planning, the Beech Street Community Kitchen opened its doors today.

This Community Kitchen project is a pastoral outreach which brings together parishioners from the Church of Christ the King and partner organizations such as the Jubilee Heritage Family Resources and Our Children, Our Future, both of which are local organizations involved in the promotion of healthy living for Sudbury families.

While participants were assisted by parishoners in the task of preparing healthy meals which they took home to be enjoyed by their families, two licenced Child Care workers provided babysitting services for the three infants who came to join us today.  Beginning at 10:00 am, the kitchen was abuz with activity and only a few hours later, everyone sat down to enjoy a wonderful lunch before returning home.

Prior to the arrival of our first participants, there was some anxiety about who these new friends would be, and about how the day would unfold, but it didn't take too long before all worries were set aside and strangers began to become friends.

It was a fantastic experience for volunteers and participants alike.  Even though this was the first day of the project, things ran really smoothly.  Even those who were most skeptical about coming to a Church to partake in this venture found that it was a very positive experience. They truly enjoyed their stay with us and are looking forward to their next visit.  Who knows the walls that have been reduced or removed even in the space of a few hours?

The next gathering of the Beech Street Community Kitchen will take place on Thursday, November 8, 2007.