Each day since June of 1974, Parish Kitchen of Covington has served free lunches and offered a place of respite to anyone in the community in need.
Founded by the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Covington, the organization has provided millions of meals to Northern Kentucky residents since its inception.
On Monday evening, the staff of Parish Kitchen came together to celebrate the milestone. Guests, volunteers and friends gathered to sample some of the guests’ favorite meals, tour the facility and visit with friends.
Covington Mayor Joe Meyer was also in attendance, commemorating June 17 as “Parish Kitchen Day” in Covington with an official proclamation.
“This kitchen started with 35 volunteers and served five guests at its first meal,” Meyer said. “The Parish Kitchen is now served by roughly 300 volunteers who take daily lunch shifts to serve anyone that comes to its doors.”
However, their 50th anniversary was not the only event that guests were celebrating. A new addition to the kitchen’s garden was unveiled, revealing a memorial dedicated to Tom Rawe, who died in April of pancreatic cancer.
Rowe was a former board member of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Covington and a beloved helping hand of Parish Kitchen who dedicated his life to serving others in his community.
In the future, the charity wishes to expand its services to better serve and support more of those in need and the growing community around it.
Click through to see everything we saw at the event.
Guests gather around to try some of the kitchen’s favorite recipes. Hailey Roden | LINK nky 
The dessert table is covered in cookies, cupcakes and even a cake dedicated to 50 years of Parish Kitchen. Hailey Roden | LINK nky 
Covington Mayor Joseph Meyer reads the proclamation of “Parish Kitchen Day”. Hailey Roden | LINK nky 
Mayor Meyer poses with Bishop John Iffert while holding the proclamation. Hailey Roden | LINK nky 
Tom Rawe’s memorial can be found in the beautiful gardens surrounding Parish Kitchen. Hailey Roden | LINK nky 
Guest favorites like the “double cheesy beefy mac” and the “chicken cordon bleu casserole” wait to be eaten. Hailey Roden | LINK nky 
Guests and volunteers mingle after the welcome ceremony. Hailey Roden | LINK nky 
Volunteers help set up and maintain the food during the event. Hailey Roden | LINK nky 
Cantaloupes are in full bloom in the volunteer planted garden. Hailey Roden | LINK nky 
Joe Chapman (right) started volunteering at the kitchen at just 12 years old in 1974. Hailey Roden | LINK nky