Insider staff
You might not know this, but we just passed the five-year anniversary of the fire that destroyed the Friendly Kitchen on Montgomery Street.
It’s understandable that you don’t remember because it’s not exactly a happy occasion that screams “let’s celebrate.”
And while it was not the easiest year and a half that ensued, some good did come out of it. A number of local churches stepped up so not a single meal was missed, donations poured in to help replace it and the place the Friendly Kitchen now calls home, which opened in December 2012, is probably more than anyone could have dreamed of five years ago.
“The generosity has put us where we are today,” said Jennifer Lombardo, director of the Friendly Kitchen. “So the biggest piece of this is a thank you to the community.
And if you haven’t seen Concord’s soup kitchen – for lack of a better term – here’s your chance.
The Friendly Kitchen is holding an open house on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon, for any and all who would like to check it out. There will be tours, a brief presentation by the board of directors’ president and light refreshments.
“There are people who donated that have never had a chance to see it,” Lombardo said. “People may feel uncomfortable asking to look around, but we’re always happy to give a tour.”
This isn’t a fundraiser – although they wouldn’t complain if you left a donation – but rather just a way for the community to see the space and learn a little more of what goes on at the South Commercial Street location.
“Our hope is people see that every penny is spent to help the community,” said Tricia Foisey.
