On November 18 we will again be sharing our offering, this time with Open Table, whose mission is to provide healthy food, friendship and support to those in need while respecting their privacy and dignity.
Open Table offers weekly community dinner programs and food pantries in Concord and Maynard to more than 300 guests. They provide a welcoming community of support and assistance to families and individuals, including many seniors and children – they are open to all who come.
Beyond providing food resources, Open Table strives to build a community of support for guests who face many challenges. Some needs are small – a notebook for a school project, a winter jacket or boots or transportation. Many of their guests face crises in housing, fuel assistance, summer child care and critical health situations. For these issues, the Open Table guest support team determines if they can help.
For several years, First Parish of Sudbury has provided not only financial gifts, but many volunteers who help in OT’s downtown Maynard location with a variety of jobs including cooking, helping with guest check-in, and staffing the pantry during open hours. Susan Stocker coordinates some of our volunteer efforts with Open Table. Please contact her if you are interested in giving it a try. It is helpful, fun, and a real “feel-good” volunteer opportunity–assisting to feed those in need of help!
On Nov. 18 we will welcome Ms. Jeanine Calabria, Executive Director.