Edmonds resident Annie Fortnum had a vision in 2004: “She wanted to feed those experiencing food insecurity and provide an opportunity for seniors living by themselves to have a place to come share a meal with other people,” volunteer Sandy Yeigh said.
Annie’s Community Kitchen served its first free meal at the Fellowship Hall of Edmonds Lutheran Church in September 2004. Although Fortnum died in 2022 at age 91, the kitchen continues to thrive and recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
In spite of occasional severe weather and power outages, the kitchen has never missed providing home-cooked vegetarian and meat-based meals every Wednesday since its founding. Yeigh estimates that 160-200 meals are served weekly and no one is turned away.
The kitchen is powered entirely by generous, community-minded volunteers and food donations from stores and nearby residents. Are new volunteers needed? “Oh, yes please!,” Yeigh said. If you would like to donate food or volunteer for essential tasks like gleaning, cooking, serving and cleanup, contact Yeigh at sandy.yeigh@gmail.com.
The church is located at 23525 84th Ave. W. in Edmonds, and dinner is served to all-comers from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday.
— By Clare McLean
Annie Fortnum’s spirit lives on at the Community Kitchen she founded 20 years ago at Edmonds Lutheran in the wonderful volunteers who continue to keep this vital ministry of serving our community with a great meal and fellowship every Wednesday! I have been honored to work with them as a volunteer in the past, and now whenever I can find time. The contributions of this group, the members of Edmonds Lutheran Church, and the volunteers who come from many places make this meal an important part of Annie’s original vision to serve one another in a meaningful way. Many thanks to all involved, and to the grocery stores, restaurants and other companies who donate food to support the kitchen’s efforts!