An Ipswich church is celebrating after being kitted out with a brand-new kitchen area with the help of their community and Asda.
The Asda Foundation granted St Peter's Church, in Stoke Park Drive, £1,500 in funding.
Reverend Emily Swinerd, has been the priest in charge of the church since November.
The Reverend said: “The whole space has been completely transformed.
“It all started with us approaching Asda to ask if they could fund a handwashing sink, so that we could serve simple food.
“A few people heard that was happening, and asked, why don’t we think bigger?”
The church had originally asked Asda for funding to install a new handwashing sink, so that the kitchen would meet hygiene standards and enable them to serve cold food.
The church first approached Teresa Davidson, the area’s Asda Community Champion. Community champions work with local groups and charities, building relationships and ensuring the supermarket can lend its support to as many good causes as possible.
Of the £1,500, £500 was allocated towards a new sink.
However, the project was then taken up by Edith Mason of Sanctuary Housing. With Edith’s hard work, enough funding was secured to give the kitchen a complete makeover.
“It's opened up hugely, for us and the community, the things we are able to do for people in this area,” said Revd Swinerd.
“We now have a proper kitchen and can serve hot food on a Thursday when we offer our warm space. We can now serve jacket potatoes and soup.
“We are hoping that in the future, we will be able to teach cookery lessons to people in the area, all because we have this new kitchen.”
Other community groups who rent the church will also benefit, with groups such as the Messy Church for children and the Wellbeing Café now having the option of serving hot and cold food and drinks.
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