The Community Kitchen has one goal – to ensure homebound adults and seniors are able to get a home cooked meal every day of the week.

Community Kitchen is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The kitchen has been operated by Sue Anderson since 2018.

Twice weekly, individual meal bags are prepared for 108 recipients with a total of seven meals each. These meals are thanks to a dedicated group of ten volunteers who spend their time cooking and cleaning, boxing and bagging, or driving many miles to make sure these packages are delivered directly to the front doors of these recipients.

“Having the kitchen makes it so much nicer because I know, if I’m just out of breath or it’s just been too much, I’m still going to get to eat something. Whereas, before I might just eat a hotdog or something because I can just poke a hole in it and stick it in the microwave or something because it’s not heavy … But with the kitchen, it’s a full home cooked meal, even with desserts,” said Valarie Brown.

Brown is a resident in New Boston who has cardiac issues. She is unable to lift many things and is quickly winded which makes everyday tasks like cooking a harder task. She is one of the many residents who have their meals delivered to their home in New Boston.

Currently, the kitchen has six volunteer drivers who deliver both Mondays and Fridays to four routes in New Boston and one route each in Hooks and DeKalb. In Maud, two drivers split the twice weekly duties.

Everything that goes into making sure a meal is prepared and delivered is provided by donations and grants. The monthly cost of running the kitchen is about $6,000, which includes supplies and utilities.

In the six years she has been feeding those in need, Anderson said her list of people is alway growing and she has never had to turn away anyone.

“God’s always been good … If we need anything, I pray about it and He makes sure the need is met,” Anderson said. Many of the clients are referred by word of mouth from current clients or by home health services.

Anyone wanting to donate services, supplies or funds and those wishing to be added to the list of deliveries can call Anderson at 903748-6741.

The Tribune is currently conducting a food drive to assist the efforts of Community Kitchen, and local backpack program Nick’s Mission.

If you would like to help either organization with a monetary donation or a donation of food, you can bring your donation to the Tribune office located at 139 E.N. Front Street in New Boston, or call us at 903-628-5801 for more information.

A donation box is also setup inside the Brookshire’s in New Boston.