Community Kitchen
Due to the financial downturn the country faced during the past few years many have had to undergo economic hardships irrespective of being rich or poor. Having a nutritious meal became a difficult task for people in the low-income category group. Supported by the Board of Wardens and under the guidance of then vicar Rev. Chrisantha Mendis and his wife Mala this mid-day meal project was initiated to provide a meal to the needy people in the vicinity of the church. This programme commenced on 27th Oct.2022 and continues twice a week every Tuesday and Thursday.
Provisions required for the cooking of meals are generally purchased by Lilani, the office clerk. The church has employed a lady to do the main cooking and cleaning while there are few volunteers to assist. They attend to cutting, chopping and other preparation work, issue tokens, serve food, maintain discipline, maintain cleanliness of the premises and minimizes the waste of food. Most of the volunteers are members of the Mothers’ Union.
A meal consists of rice, fish/sprats/eggs, dhal or a vegetable and a mallum or a tempered vegetable.
The menu is changed weekly and we always provide a nutritious balanced meal also taking into consideration the cost factor. The work in the kitchen starts at 9.00a.m and
serving starts at 1.30 p.m.
The people who come for meals are from various walks of life. On the instructions of the Vicar, we now accommodate more school children and mothers. Depending on the
availability of food,- other needy people are accommodated. Meals are provided for fathers (whose children are warded at the Lady Ridgeway hospital) who are
temporarily residing at Flemming Hall under St. Luke’s Care Programme. Church staff and volunteers also partake in the meal.
In addition to the normal meal, parishioners and well-wishers sponsor special meals
for birthdays, in memory of family members and other special occasions. At present
the average cost for a day is approx. Rs.17,000/-. The kitchen was in operation for 91
days during the period under review. Special meals were prepared on 27 occasions and
normal meals have been provided on 64 days. About 80-100 people daily benefit from
this programme and on certain days, there are more.
We seek the cooperation of all parishioners to be partners of this worthy outreach programme by way of donations. Most importantly volunteers are desperately needed
to continue this programme.