NORWICH — The Norwich Community Soup Kitchen, located in St. Bartholomew's Parish Center at 81 East Main Street in Norwich, will reopen on Tuesday, September 15.

The kitchen will provide a free meal to the community every Tuesday, with doors opening at 4 p.m. and meals served at 5 p.m.

"Some nights we have 55 to 75 people, some nights we serve maybe 45 or so, but we make sure we have enough food for at least 100 people," said Norwich Community Soup Kitchen spokesperson JoAnn Testani.

"It's a wonderful night for people to get out and enjoy a free meal, socialize and meet their neighbors," Testani said. "Anyone can come. Children, adults and senior citizens are all invited."

She said they try to make it friendly and enjoyable for everyone in the community.

Meals include an entree, a vegetable, dessert and drinks such as water, lemonade, juice, milk, tea and coffee.

Previous meals served included hamburgers and french fries, spaghetti and meatballs, macaroni and cheese, beef stew and chicken and biscuits. A Thanksgiving dinner is also served each year.

Menus are posted on Monday mornings to several community Facebook pages that include Anything Chenango County, Chenango County Scanner Nerds, and posts from JoAnn Mirabito Testani.

The Norwich Community Soup Kitchen offers free weekly meals from September through late May or early June each year.

Testani said the soup kitchen follows the Norwich City School District calendar and closes when school is closed, including during inclement weather.

Testani said the soup kitchen's efforts would not be possible without support from community members and volunteers, as well as St. Bartholomew's, which provides the kitchen and dining space.

"All of this comes from contributions from the people and organizations around the community," she said. "We’re very, very fortunate to have such a great community with so many people who support us."

For more information on the Norwich Community Soup Kitchen, contact the St. Bartholomew's Parish Center office at 607-337-2215