Our Community Kitchen
What began in 1982 as a pot of soup in the back of Sister Angela Mary Parker’s station wagon has evolved into Religious Community Service’s (RCS) Community Kitchen on its George Street campus in New Bern, North Carolina. This volunteer-led meal program serves individuals and families seven days a week, 365 days a year. If you visit the Community Kitchen you’ll note, however, that soup is no longer on the menu.
“Function is in a name,” says Executive Director, Zeb Hough. Community is the goal when individuals and families walk
through the organization’s doors to take a seat at the table in the Community Kitchen. “When people share a meal together, something extraordinary takes place. They begin sharing their lives.” Individuals and families experiencing food insecurity find more than a meal around the tables at RCS. They are invited to build supportive community. They are engaged holistically. And if they linger a little longer past the last bite, they’ll find themselves empowered for permanent life-change.
Those seeking community (and a hot, home-cooked meal) are welcome Sundays for breakfast at 8:00am and Mondays through Saturdays for lunch beginning at 10:30am.
Get Involved
Individuals and groups desiring to serve Community in our Kitchen are invited to contact our Community Engagement Manager. We have many groups, churches, and local businesses who gift us with their time, catered lunches, kitchen talents, or appreciated efforts in our community kitchen. To find out more about volunteering with us, visit our volunteer page here.
Our Food
Our community Kitchen serves a variety of hot food. We serves fresh produce, hot pasta, soups, bread, meat, and dishes that fulfill the physical need of hunger, but subdue the spiritual worry of obtaining sustenance. Our community kitchen offers a variety of meals on a regular basis. One meal is chosen on a daily basis. Every meal is prepared by volunteer groups within our community.
