NEWBERG, Ore. — After years of planning, fundraising, and construction, the Feed Newberg Community Kitchen is officially open, offering free meals to anyone in need on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings.
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Located inside Northside Community Church, the newly completed kitchen represents more than $235,000 in community-driven funding. The project was supported by a wide range of donors, including individuals, two charity 5k races, churches, local businesses, and organizations like the Community Wellness Collective and Newberg Rotary.
“It feels incredible,” said Stephany Coblentz, administrative pastor at Northside. “This kitchen represents years of community effort and care. From our neighbors running a 5K, to donors giving generously, to volunteers helping with labor, and contractors believing in our vision. It’s a space built with love and intention, and now we get to open the doors and feed people.”
Outfitted with commercial-grade equipment—including a 10-burner gas range, double ovens, industrial refrigeration, a high-efficiency dishwasher, and full stainless-steel prep stations—the space is designed to support large-scale meal service. It also includes small wares and food-safe storage to maintain a safe and welcoming environment.
The kitchen can serve up to 50 guests each evening, and Coblentz said they expect to scale up to more than 100 as word spreads. Meals are served from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday with no registration or ID required.
“Our tables and the food served at them are for anyone in our community who finds themselves looking for a meal,” Coblentz said. “We believe in restoring dignity through hospitality, and that starts with making meals truly accessible.”
To lead the kitchen’s daily operations, Feed Newberg recently hired Cora Payton as kitchen manager. A longtime local with experience at Chehalem Valley Brewery and Miss Hannah’s Popcorn, Payton will manage volunteers and help develop community programming.
“She brings both culinary expertise and a passion for hospitality,” Coblentz said. “She has a heart for making people feel seen and cared for around the table.”
The kitchen’s launch comes at a time of increasing food insecurity, with recent national and state-level cuts to food assistance programs putting additional pressure on local resources.
“This kitchen couldn’t be opening at a more critical time,” Coblentz said.
Those interested in volunteering can email kitchen@northsidenewberg.org or visit feednewberg.com for more information. Opportunities include meal prep, cleanup, donation pickups, and event support.
The kitchen also shares space with The Fold, a Northside ministry now offering showers and laundry services on Saturdays during food service hours. That service is available on a first-come, first-served basis in partnership with the Community Wellness Collective.
“Now that we are covering the weekends, there is at least one place in Newberg offering a free meal to anyone in need every evening of the week,” Coblentz said. “This is only the beginning.”
Feed Newberg operates out of the Northside Community Church at 1800 Hoskins St. Meals are served Friday to Sunday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit feednewberg.com. Those interested in donating to the community kitchen can contribute via a donation portal.
