Vernon's Cornerstone Community Kitchen Back Open For Inside Dining

VERNON, CT — The Cornerstone Foundation’s community kitchen on Prospect Street in Vernon is back open for inside dining.

It opened this week after being closed since March 16, 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Citing "an abundance of caution," the Cornerstone staff had been serving takeout meals.

Cornerstone Executive Director Sharon Redfern said it's a relief.

"We did what was needed to be done to keep diners and staff safe during the pandemic and we are grateful to our staff and volunteers that they hung in there and kept serving much needed meals to the community,” she said.

Opening inside dining has been a goal of Cornerstone's for some time, Redfern said.

"It has taken a lot of planning as the meal process has changed over the last two years," she said. "Cornerstone is confident that it can continue to serve the community as it always has. The staff, volunteers and diners are all excited about the change."

Cornerstone is inviting "everyone" to visit the Community Kitchen.

"We encourage anyone who is struggling to pay their rent, utilities or other expenses to visit the Community Kitchen and take advantage of the meals served at lunch and dinner," Redfern said. "We are also always looking for volunteers in the Community Kitchen, especially for delivery drivers."

Cornerstone’s Community Kitchen is located at 15 Prospect Street and is open to all with no income verification or sign up required. Lunch is served seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and dinner is served Monday through Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Learn more about Cornerstone and its Community Kitchen at www.cornerstone-cares.org.