Giving the gift of time and talent in Provincetown

Just in time for the extended holiday season, the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod will have a brand new kitchen and pantry.

After years of hoping and planning, staff and volunteers who prepare daily lunches and meals for delivery, as well as Tuesday night dinners, will be working in a gleaming, state-of-the-art, professional-scale space.

Prior to the renovation, the kitchen was at best described as inadequate, making cooking, cleanup and storage a challenge.

This new space evolved out of a common dream and the abundant generosity of many individuals.

Thanks to the design talents of architect Steve McGovern and the skill and labor of John Swanson, a licensed contractor with more than 20 years experience, this former eyesore will soon be a well-organized, functional culinary work space. Both Swanson and McGovern have donated their time to make this happen.

This remodeling of the heart of the agency was desperately needed and long overdue, says ASGCC executive director Joe Carleo.

Each weekday we serve over 40 meals to people who come to us not only for a healthy meal, but also to socialize and share information or stories, he says. We also prepare and deliver meals to people unable to come to us.

Every Tuesday night for more than 20 years, volunteer chefs have prepared the Local Flavor dinner for clients and volunteers.

This social contact is particularly important in the winter months, as isolation can become a significant factor. We have been raising funds to do the renovation for many years, says Carleo. And, through the generosity of many of whom he describes as kitchen angels, the organization was finally able to reach its fundraising goal and begin the project.

While many people have been helpful in this process, the donation of services by Steve McGovern and John Swanson has been extraordinary, says Carleo. Steve did an amazing job redesigning the kitchen so that it will be very efficient and a nice place for preparing meals. Johns on-going contribution is truly wonderful. This degree of volunteerism is really significant. We are very fortunate to live in a place where acts of generosity of this nature can happen.

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Giving the gift of time and talent in Provincetown