Welcoming guests from all over the community to tour our newly renovated kitchen on Thursday, September 24th was such a joy. We loved showing it off, and we are so proud to be a part of a community that made it happen! Below is an article written after the event by Times-News reporter Anna Johnson.
When Liz Rowe entered the kitchen of Allied Churches of Alamance County, she could barely believe her eyes.
“I love it,” said Rowe, a former Allied Churches volunteer and board member. “It’s like a whole different place, and I feel like it’s a part of my family.”
Rowe was one of many people who turned out Thursday afternoon for the open house for Allied Churches’ renovated kitchen. Allied Churches, 206 N. Fisher St., Burlington, provides shelter for the homeless and twice-daily meals, and serves as a food pantry.
“We all ought to be more aware of the homeless, of those who need our help,” Rowe said. “When we don’t, I think we miss a blessing.”
The kitchen was shut down for renovations from July 4 to this past week, and residents were fed from restaurant donations and bagged meals during the interim. The dining room opened this week, and several individuals said they were glad to be back inside and enjoyed the community feel.
“Everyone who eats here isn’t just coming here for a free meal,” said Sara Beth Puckett, development associate for Allied Churches. “It’s about the community.”
Executive Director Kim Crawford echoed the sentiment. “It’s no longer acceptable to say, ‘Here’s your free meal; be happy with that,’” Crawford said. “We want to house the hungry and feed the homeless in the most distinguished, respectable way possible.”
The long rows of tables that once stood in the dining room were replaced with smaller individual tables to create a restaurant, community feeling. The floors were replaced and ceiling repainted in the dining room area.
The funds to renovate the kitchen, which was serving approximately 150 meals for lunch and dinner, came from a city of Burlington Community Development Block Grant totaling approximately $90,000, Crawford said.
Hot meals are expected to begin next week under the direction of Allied Churches’ new kitchen manager, Caitlin Vatikiotis-Bateson. Vatikiotis-Bateson started last Monday after working with Company Shops Market for the last four years.
United Way of Alamance County President Heidi Norwick said she was humbled by the change in the kitchen.
“I think it is awesome,” she said. “It makes us proud at the caliber of food preparation and what people will be able to serve and eat here.”
See the Times-News article here.