The Norwich Community Kitchen serves free, hot meals every Tuesday, with doors opening at 4 p.m. and meals served at 5 p.m. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — The Norwich Community Kitchen, located in St. Bartholomew's Parish Center at 81 East Main Street in Norwich, serves free, hot meals every Tuesday. Doors open at 4 p.m., with dinner served at 5 p.m.

Established in 2010, the Community Kitchen's mission is to meet the needs of the community and encourage community involvement.

The weekly meals are open to everyone, whether they're from Chenango County or outside the area.

"It’s a special point to attend the weekly gathering, not only for the free meal but also for the conversation. It’s an important part of our community. It really brings people together, and we find that it’s a family friendly type of atmosphere," said Norwich Community Kitchen Spokesperson JoAnn Testani. "Everyone in the community is welcome to attend. We enjoy anyone that would like to help or just come down for a nice dinner."

"We don’t turn anybody away, and we don’t ask questions. All they have to do is walk through the front door and sit down," she added.

The menu changes each week, and is usually posted in Facebook groups such as Chenango County Community and Chenango County Scanner Nerds.

Some meals the Community Kitchen serves include chicken and biscuits, spaghetti and meatballs, beef stew, macaroni and cheese, hamburgers and fries, barbecue chicken sandwiches, and more. Each meal also includes sides, vegetables, a dessert, and drinks.

Additionally, Testani said Chobani delivers yogurt every month to be included with the meals.

Testani said they serve approximately 80 community members each week, and they're able to do so thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations who support them.

"It’s through the generosity of our contributors and the community that we’re able to do this," she said. "We’re very very fortunate to have such a great community that we have so many people who support us."

The Norwich Community Kitchen is also able to serve the community due to the dedicated volunteers who cook and serve the meals each week.

Testani has been involved with the Norwich Community Kitchen for 14 years, and said she loves being able to help the community.

"I just love doing it for the community and I’m so happy when I see people come in and enjoy their meal. It makes me happy to see that they’re happy," Testani said. "It’s a nice service to provide for the community, and anybody else that would like to come."