Woonsocket Debuts Community Bread Oven

WOONSOCKET, RI — Jut in time for warmer weather, Woonsocket has debuted a new bread oven in downtown for public use. The oven was by NeighborWorks Blackstone Valley and funded by The Rhode Island Foundation.

"There is nothing that celebrates community more or brings it together faster than food, especially if it's cooked outdoors over a wood fire," said NeighorWorks Executive Director Joe Garlick. "The Millrace Bread Oven will use the power of food to bring diverse cultures together in a fun way – building neighborhood unity and pride."

The oven, located in Market Square, is available for public use and is expected to be a centerpiece of community events.

"We envision it serving many purposes: as an anchor for our new public market and food business incubator; a catalyst for neighborhood cultural events; a place to make nutritious healthy food; a unique tourist attraction; a striking work of public art; and a magnet for people, stories and community-building entrepreneurs," Garlick continued.

The oven was debuted to the public at the first Community Pizza Night. Marty Pearson of Stone Comfort, the local stone and brick mason which built the oven, Emily Lisker, a local resident and artist and Margaux Morrisseau of NeighborWorks were on hand to create the inaugural pies. A list of upcoming events at the oven are available here.

The oven project was funded by the Rhode Island Foundation's Community Grants program, which provides up to $10,000 for projects that help foster community in local cities and towns.

"We are thrilled to support this project and thrilled to support the work that NeighborWorks does for Woonsocket," said Jessica Davis of the Rhode Island Foundation. "The Community Grants program is designed to fund projects that bring people together, connect people with public spaces, strengthen relationships and build connections with tradition. NeighborWorks and the Woonsocket community managed to hit all of those things with this project, which is a really a wonderful testament to their community."