NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — ​People in Niagara Falls who struggle to put food on the table now have a new place to go for help. It’s called Charlie’s Community Kitchen.

The "Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative" teamed-up with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church to launch the kitchen.

Every Monday afternoon throughout the summer it will offer up to 50 free meals to the public.

It’s something organizers say is in big demand.

“There are certain areas of Niagara Falls that are considered a food dessert, not just for people shopping for food, but for coming together and eating food,” Rev. Helen Harper, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church priest in-charge, said. “So, I believe this program will fill a gap.”

“Our hope is that relationships will hopefully flourish after that and the overall health and well-being of our community will increase as we come out of our COVID fog,” Brian Archie, Create a Health Niagara Falls collaborative integrator, said.

Collaborative members says the community kitchen is part of an eight week test program organizers plan to review ahead of the winter months.