Community kitchen feeds Colombo’s needy

Unlike in the US, Sri Lanka doesn’t have a tradition of soup kitchens. Instead, nonprofits and churches more typically hand out rice, lentils and milk powder to families in need. Since the country’s economic crisis hit, however, cooking gas is in severe shortage, so people are finding it impossible to cook at home, even if they have food to prepare. In response to this problem, a Colombo-based nonprofit started what they believe to be the first “community kitchen” in the country, feeding a hot lunch five days a week to community members. The World’s Carolyn Beeler reports.