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Our Community Kitchen to open July 18
By Kalea Hall
YOUNGSTOWN
The Mahoning Valley’s newest soup kitchen will officially open July 18.
Our Community Kitchen will offer breakfast and lunch and programs for the less fortunate.
“I like to say that we are offering more than just feeding the people,” said Ralph “Skip” Barone, kitchen manager at Our Community Kitchen. “We are trying to get them on their own.”
The nearly 6,500-square-foot soup kitchen at 551 Mahoning Ave. is sponsored by the Anthony Cocca Family Foundation.
Plans for the building, which were submitted by Boardman-based Cocca Development Ltd. to Youngstown’s Design Review Committee, were approved in February.
“We made the commitment to build the building and purchase all the equipment needed to open the kitchen. We will never allow the kitchen to be unable to serve food to the needy and will fund any money necessary to be sure that will continue,” Kelly Cocca said on behalf of the family. “We can’t put into words how proud we are with the way the community has come together to support this cause. We are grateful for the many people we have encountered along the way who have helped make this a true community project.”
Barone, former kitchen manager of St. Vincent de Paul Society’s kitchen on Front Street, is happy to be back serving others.
He resigned from St. Vincent in late November after 13 years at the kitchen. After his resignation, distraught volunteers upset with the leadership at the kitchen followed Barone. The kitchen was closed for one week until a new manager was hired.
“There was a time not too long ago I was ready to retire,” Barone said. “I am looking forward to [the kitchen opening]. I really am.”
The kitchen will serve breakfast at 7 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day except Sundays.
There also will be a small pantry of canned goods and another for toiletry items. Resources for how to find housing will be provided.
“We are offering some community resources so they can search for jobs and apply for driver’s licenses and such,” Barone said.
Those interested in making monetary or other donations to the kitchen should call 330-770-2224 .