Masontown Community Kitchen celebrates on year
Masontown Community Kitchen recently celebrated its first anniversary with a special celebration that included recognition of its organizer and founders. The Rev. James Giesey, retired minister of First Presbyterian Church, received a special honor. Giesey initiated the church’s mission in February 2006.
Opened as a soup kitchen for the hungry, a more defining name was chosen as the Masontown Community Kitchen because of the social interaction through the hospitality and sharing of a common meal to those attending. More than 2,000 meals were served the first year of operation.
Funding for the kitchen originated with a grant obtained by the First Presbyterian Church and the Redstone Presbytery from the Emma Johnson Trust Fund. Training for safe food handling at the kitchen was initially conducted by the state Department of Agriculture at the church, with more than 80 volunteers participating. The Fayette County Food Bank and most local churches and civic clubs contribute food, donations and time to make Masontown Community Kitchen a success.
For the anniversary, Gus and Esther Diamond donated 60 pounds of pork loin, which Ken Pryce of Jacob’s Lutheran Church stored in his freezer. Ball’s Bakery and Shop ‘N Save both donated sheet cake for the anniversary.
Those present included the Rev. Stephen Cole of Masontown Brethren Church, who serves as chairman for Masontown Community Kitchen. Frank Martin of First Presbyterian is vice chairman.