Housed in Fellowship Hall, the Open Door Community Kitchen serves free hot and nutritious meals every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during October through May and every Monday and Wednesday during the summer months of June through September. Approximately 150 to 175 meals are served each month.

Anyone who comes to our door is welcome – without question or qualification.

Get Involved

Since its inception, the Open Door Community Kitchen has depended on the time and effort of volunteers who share a concern and commitment to those in need in our community. At the heart of this mission are people who donate their time preparing food, serving meals to guests, and cleaning up afterwards.

If you want to volunteer at the Open Door Community Kitchen, we ask you to bring three important things with you: a willingness to work, an open and positive attitude, and a smile. We can promise you that you will have some fun and learn a great deal about yourself and your fellow human beings.

What Do Meal Preparers Do?
Meal preparers cook a full meal for approximately 15-20 people and have it ready for the volunteer servers.

What Do Servers Do?
Servers work from 4 PM to 6 PM on their chosen day(s) setting up the dining area, serving the food, greeting guests, handing out drinks, clearing and cleaning tables when the guests are finished eating, and cleaning the kitchen after the meal. No special skills are needed. You only need to bring yourself and your willingness to work.

How Often Do Volunteers Work?
Typically people schedule one day a month – it depends on you and your schedule. You can schedule as many days as you wish as a server or preparer.

Who Can Volunteer?
Both UCP members and members of the community are welcomed to volunteer. There is no age limit. However, a server team must have at least one responsible adult member who can open the building before the meal and lock up the building after cleanup is complete.

Still Not Sure?
If you need to see the volunteer process in action, call 753-9246 to schedule a day to visit or partner with another volunteer who can show you the ropes. Share the cooking or enjoy a few hours of serving others with someone who shares your desire to help others.

How Else Can I Help?
You may not be able to fit preparing or serving into your workday schedule. You may feel uncomfortable cooking for 15 or 20 people. Physical problems may not allow you to serve and clean up. You can still help the Open Door Community Kitchen.

• Donations are always welcomed to cover the expenses of the Kitchen. UCP provides the use of Fellowship Hall and its kitchen at no cost. However, there is no cash support budgeted for food, cleaning supplies, paper supplies, or equipment maintenance. These expenses are covered by personal contributions, support from area groups, and periodic offerings from the UCP Diaconate.
• Most food is donated by the meal preparers. You may want to partner with someone who can prepare food that you purchase.
• The Community Kitchen committee has a list of occasional tasks (like picking up food and supplies) and would be happy to talk to you about the possibilities.

To volunteer, contact the church or call 753-9246.

Committee Members:

Feel free to contact any committtee member with your questions or use the Contact Us form to email us.

Alice Colby	Lynne Raleigh	Fran Temple
753-2602	753-9246

History:

Over 30 years ago Laura Olsen funded the Open Door Community Kitchen. The Community Kitchen has operated without interruption since it was first formed.

Thank You!

Anyone who has cooked a meal, made dessert, washed the dishes, dropped off supplies, donated cash, cleaned the kitchen, or any of the long list of tasks that need to be done to keep Open Door Community Kitchen alive needs to be applauded.

Thanks go out to the following people for volunteering to work in the kitchen during 2010. We could not do this without your help.

Goldie Anderson
Jadean Barthelmes
Art Bigelow
Jude Blodgett
Heather Chandler and
      the Boy Scouts
Donna and Mark Ciocca
Lee and Alice Colby
Ricky Colby
Sherry and Mike Cotton
Peter and Dottie Dodge
Jean Eaton
Walter Howard
Audrey Knight
Barb LaMorey
Tammi Lavery
Lawre Murphy
Carol O'Hara
Brenda Perkins
Nancy Peperissa
Heather Spears
Joelle Sturms
Fran Temple
Kelly and Mark Thompson
Pastor John Westhaver
Michael Wing

Apologies to those that may have been missed - family and friends who joined the people above on their evening in the Kitchen. Your time and energy are also appreciated!

Special thanks to Ken Hanson for dealing with equipment repairs and assorted kitchen emergencies.

Thank you all from the Open Door Community Kitchen Committee!