NORWAY — With the help of some jazz and local food, the Progress Center is hoping to boost support for its efforts to create a community kitchen.

The center will host a Valentine’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the headquarters at 35 Cottage St. Tickets to the event are $30 per couple or $17 for a single ticket.

The center has been hosting free meals, which have benefited low-income and disadvantaged people, on the first and third Thursdays of the month at the Norway Universalist Church. Priscilla Burnette, the center’s administrative assistant, said an average of 120 people are fed at each event.

“You can see there is a need to continue helping the community with meals,” she said.

The center plans to remodel its kitchen to allow for commercial cooking facilities, food storage and dining space. The kitchen will be used to host the community dinners and also provide a space for local farmers who may need to use a commercial kitchen. No changes will be made to the exterior of the building.

Sunday’s event will feature food donated by the Oxford Hills Food Collaborative and others in the area. The meals will include veggie and egg frittatas, with locally grown pork and vegetables; French toast with apples; potato soup with bacon; a vegan salad; and assorted baked foods.

“Probably 95 percent of what is going to be served is Maine-grown, Maine-produced,” Burnette said.

She said about $170,000 of the $220,000 needed for the kitchen project has been raised. Most of the funds have come from grants.

Jazz guitarists David Lawlor and Neil Lamb will also play at the event. For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Burnette at 743-8049, extension 266.

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