The Messy Kitchen’s kitchens have been busier and messier than ever these past few months!  We continue to prepare dinners for the New Hope youth after school program, actually increasing our deliveries to bi-weekly.  Loaf’n Around Town, a team that redistributes Panera’s daily overflow, continues to expand.  We continue to distribute to the York Springs BIC missions group.  We have also started to distribute to  Helping Hands Ministries.  As quoted from their website, “For those new to Helping Hands Ministries of Harrisburg, Inc., we are an outreach ministry in the city of Harrisburg for the homeless, the downtrodden, and other needy people. Through hot meals, we reach out to the poor with a love and care that is so often missing yet desperately wanting in their lives. No one is turned away. Anyone in need of a hot meal or encouragement is welcomed.”  We are honored to be a group that helps this organization to exist.

Along with our “regularly scheduled serving”, we were able to host several successful community events. The first of which was The Messy Kitchen’s 1st Annual Chili Cook Off.  For each crock of chili entered, an entry fee was collected which was a direct   donation for New Hope Ministries in Dillsburg.  In addition to our professional judging panel, the audience could monitarily vote for their favorite.  After sampling by both the judges and audience, the votes were counted and winners were determined - 1st place Cheri Cribari, 2nd place Linda Baker, and People's choice Eric Crawford.  Look for this great event again next year!

We also hosted was a “take-out” baked ziti dinner that once again benefited New Hope.  Tickets were sold by New Hope volunteers and we prepared some baked ziti – over 30 pans!!  The response was so overwhelming that plans are already    underway for another event late winter/early spring. 

We partner with several community groups through the year but one that is really close to our heart is of course our MRC family.  The youth were organizing a  Christmas play and we were asked if we could prepare  dinner for the event.  The evening was   nothing short of fantastic with over 150  people in attendance and plenty of fantastic food to go around.  It was a true blessing for us to be able to participate!

And last but not least, the New Hope Baskets of Hope - the event that launched The Messy Kitchen last fall.  But this year, we were not limited by work space or storage space and were able to expand beyond cookies with quick breads, brownies, and cookie bars.  This is an event that not only allows us to reach  community families in need, but also brings the families of MRC together.

As one of our team members recently said, “The people stopped me to say how delicious it was...especially for a church dinner!  That made me chuckle.  They don't know that we don't church cook...we God cook.  We aren't cooking for the love of the church...but, for the love of God!”

- Melissa McElwee, Director of The Messy Kitchen