NORWICH – For four years, the Norwich Community Soup Kitchen located in the St. Bartholomew’s Parish Center on East Main Street in Norwich has been serving up free meals to area residents and asking nothing in return.

On Tuesday, the community kitchen once again opened its doors for a new season, assuring that those in need can get a free hot meal in addition to the opportunity to enjoy the company of others.

Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the St. Bartholomew Parish Center, 81 E. Main St. near the heart of downtown Norwich.

According to organizers, it takes more than a few helping hands to keep things on track when the soup kitchen opens. As many as 140 volunteers have been known to pitch-in on any given night, setting time apart from their own busy schedules to prepare, cook, serve and clean for others. Helpers range in talents and age, noted one volunteer. Whether it’s a local high school student or one of the more seasoned volunteers contributing their time in retirement, everyone has a role they can play, she said.