From left to right, Cllr Ben Coleman, Cathy Williams-Baker and Father Mark Osborne
A Fulham church will be able to continue feeding homeless people and running pensioner lunch clubs, thanks to help from H&F Council and its contractor Mitie.
St John's Church approached the council for help when their dated kitchen was simply unable to cope with demand.
“St John's does so much for the community and it was a pleasure to be able to help them,” said Cllr Ben Coleman, H&F Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care.
“We offered some council funding and called up our contacts. I’m delighted that Mitie pitched in.”
As well as the installation of a new cooker and hood, a whole new extraction system had to be put in place, plus new work surfaces.
The kitchen is used by church and charity volunteers to cook food for the night shelter, which gives homeless people somewhere to sleep.
St John’s also provides meals for children's groups, a senior citizens lunch club and other community groups.
Mitie provided labour and planning expertise for free and the cooker itself came at a heavily discounted price from Nisbets Catering Supplies on Fulham Road.
The St John's operation is well supported by businesses in the Fulham Broadway area, who also donate food.
Whole Foods Market supply the bread, five local restaurants give soup and traders on North End Road Market offer fruit and vegetables.
Mince comes from a local butcher’s, and other food is donated by Cote, the Malt House, Al Santo and Love Walk Cafe.
“This is a great example of a whole community pulling together to help others” said Cllr Coleman.
