Women’s Community Kitchen moving into new home

Just a few steps in a different direction is meaning a significant change in the lives of many of Atlanta’s homeless women and children and is a cause for celebration by Action Ministries Atlanta as it marks the grand opening of the new home of its Women’s Community Kitchen.

Since opening its doors in 1984, the Women’s Community Kitchen has served over 500,000 meals to approximately 15,000 unduplicated homeless women and children clients.

On Saturday, May 12 – in celebration of Mother’s Day – Action Ministries Atlanta will hold grand opening ceremonies with a meal from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Women’s Community Kitchen still located on the grounds of Grace United Methodist Church at 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, but now in a different building on the campus.

Founded in 1963, Action Ministries leads communities and volunteers in serving their neighbors in need by providing hunger, housing and education solutions. Each day, the Women’s Community Kitchen serves lunch to those in need and serves a total of more than 4,100 homeless women and children annually. Food is provided and served restaurant-style by volunteers from dozens of religious congregations, businesses and civic groups.

Other services include access to onsite mental health nurses who screen, treat and refer women in need of support. Every other Wednesday a nurse presents a Lunch ‘n Learn on a variety of topics. A new Kid Zone gives mothers a brief respite and enables children to color, play with stickers and do stamp art.

According to client S. Warren, the mother of two toddlers, “I feel so comfortable coming here, but the most important thing is my kids feel comfortable here. Everyone is so generous and wants to be here. It doesn't feel like we have to be here," she said in a news release.

“During the 28 years of the Women’s Community Kitchen existence we have touched thousands of lives,” said Kate Boyer, executive director of Action Ministries Atlanta, in a press release. “Moving to our new home means we will be able to touch so many more and give our volunteers additional opportunities to make a difference. We appreciate Grace United Methodist and their help in making it all possible.”

“We have a rich tradition of worship, ministry, and mission in midtown Atlanta,” said the Rev. Kate Floyd, senior pastor of . “We believe our partnership with Action Ministries Atlanta helps us as we strive to live out Jesus’ command to love God, ourselves, and our neighbors.”

Sponsors of the grand opening celebration include Radio One, home of MyPraise 102.5 FM and Magic 107.5 FM; Ippolito’s Italian Restaurant, which will cater the Mother’s Day lunch; the Sutherland law firm, which has several long-time volunteers on staff; and, the Gwinnett Braves who will bring their mascot Chopper to the grand opening festivities.