The Kitsilano War Memorial Community Centre is home to a new community kitchen and it’s much more than a place to prepare food. In an interview with the Vancouver Courier, Community Recreation Supervisor Doug Taylor said the kitchen will feed the homeless, keep teens busy Friday afternoons, teach single men how to make a meal and show single parents how to stretch a buck while cooking.
The kitchen was completed in October and cooking programs will launch in January. Classes planned include cooking for single parents, vegetarian cooking and cooking for bachelors.
The $362,000 community kitchen includes stainless steel appliances, including four large ovens, an industrial fridge, a three-foot griddle and steam kettle to make soups and stews. The kitchen was paid for partly from provincial gambling proceeds and a large donation from the Kitsilano Community Centre Association, along with support from the parks board. Chef Mark Halyk, who is paid part time as a program director, volunteers his time in running the kitchen.
The completion of the kitchen means the centre’s Saturday morning homeless shower program will expand to include sit-down hot meals. The program allows homeless people to visit the community centre Saturday mornings for free breakfast and use of the washrooms and showers. (Source)
Last modified: May 20, 2020
