Greenwood’s Community Kitchen is set to get a $5,000 infusion from the City Council.
The kitchen, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in December, has served close to half a million meals to the needy since opening at 200 E. Johnson St.
“It’s a worthwhile organization. ... It helps people out all through the year,” said Ward 4 Councilman Charles McCoy.
The donation was expected to be presented at today’s meeting of the City Council. It is the third annual gift the kitchen has received from the city since 2011, according to Tommy McCrory, president of the board of directors of the nonprofit Greenwood Interfaith Ministries, which operates the kitchen.
“It’s very important. The last year was a pretty good year. The year before, we got very low two or three times,” he said.
Although the kitchen does receive some funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Food Network, McCrory said, the donation from the city is the only local government funding it receives.
Barbara Biggers, treasurer of Greenwood Interfaith Ministries, said the need in the community is as great as ever.
“We’re feeding more and more people because a lot of people are losing their jobs. We need all the help we can get,” she said.
The Community Kitchen has only one paid employee: Carlee Bailey, the kitchen’s executive director.
Even though Monday was a holiday, the kitchen still served lunch, Bailey said.
Greenwood Mayor Carolyn McAdams said that when McCrory approached the city about an annual donation, she wanted to help. She said including the kitchen in the city’s annual budget for charitable giving is the right thing to do. The kitchen serves everyone, she said.
“There are no questions asked. You could live in the city or the county or Timbuktu, you’re welcome,” she said.
Tax-deductible donations to the Community Kitchen can be sent to Greenwood Interfaith Ministries, P.O. Box 8223, Greenwood, MS 38935.
- Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@
gwcommonwealth.com.
