Did you ever wonder how the Wednesday Meal is prepared? Well, it takes many volunteers and two days to prepare the delicious and nutritious meals for our Wednesday night guests. Dedicated volunteers on Tuesday and Wednesday prepare the meal, set up the dining room and prepare the to-go meals.
This Volunteer Spotlight features our Wednesday morning Prep Volunteers. Meet Tony, Stu, Patricia, Chuck, Suzanne "Suz", Clarissa, and Sue who work tirelessly under the direction of Chef Jim Miller. There are many tasks in getting the dining room ready, such as washing the floors and setting up the tables and chairs. Our volunteers happily slice, dice, chop, scoop, bake, cook, and dance. Yes, dance! There are some Wednesday mornings you can find our faithful volunteers dancing to music while performing their respective tasks. The tables are beautifully adorned with floral arrangements created by our ingenious volunteer Ellie. Wednesday Prep Volunteers have been volunteering at ONT for as little as 6 months and as long as 17 years. Some of the volunteers also volunteer at the Market doing various jobs there. Each volunteer came to ONT for different reasons: retirement, paying it forward, family tradition, in memory of a family member, wanting to do something for the community. But these volunteers come together for the same reasons, too. They all return to ONT for the friendships they make, commitment to help their community, and the happiness they feel preparing the meal for our guests. This joy keeps them coming back.
0 Comments
Our Neighbors' Table is thrilled to announce that Dana Marshall, On Air Host with 92.5 the River, will the the Emcee for the 2017 Annual Breakfast! We are fortunate to also have Erin Lynch, Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry, join us as the 2017 Guest Speaker. 2017 Emcee: Dana Marshall of 92.5 the River![]() Dana jumped into radio in Vermont in the 90s and never looked back. In 2000, she moved to Newburyport to begin what would be a long and satisfying career at the River. During her tenure (to date), Dana was Music/Program Director, On Air Host, and creator of such radio programs as Acoustic After Dark and the Boston favorite, Brunch by the River. Dana was instrumental in creating and curating the Newburyport Riverfront Festival in conjunction with the Newburyport Chamber. “It’s become one of the things I’m proudest of – bringing a premiere, free music festival to the Port!” Dana said. Mother of a grown daughter living and thriving in Colorado, Dana lives in the Newburyport area with her “partner in everything,” Marshall, as well as a 3 year old yellow lab, Jazz. 2017 Guest Speaker: Erin Lynch, Franklin Food Pantry![]() Erin has dedicated the past twenty years of her career to strengthening nonprofit organizations. She holds national certification in Nonprofit Leadership through the Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Innovation. In her previous roles she served as Executive Director of a seventeen-organization strategic alliance, secured a multimillion dollar community grant for the Phoenix area, administered the Arizona Department of Economic Security Volunteer Services contract, and served with the Points of Light Foundation. She currently resides in Franklin with her two children and enjoys working with this community towards a time when no children go hungry. Please join us at the Annual Breakfast to celebrate a year of amazing growth for Our Neighbors' Table! We are on track to serve 1 million meals this year, nearly double what we served in 2016. This incredible impact is thanks to the support ONT receives from the community. Tickets and sponsorships to the Annual Breakfast are still available, click here to purchase. Our Neighbors' Table Annual Breakfast
|
ONT kicked off the summer with some incredible news. Through a competitive process, ONT was awarded $100,000 from the Cummings Foundation 100K for 100 program to support the growth of our grocery programs. The funds, disbursed over 2017 and 2018, will help ONT keep up with the growing number of guests utilizing the weekly market at the Jardis-Taylor Center and expand our mobile market and home delivery programs across the region. |
Volunteer Spotlight: Will Mauch | ONT: Nonprofit of the Year, Newburyport Chamber of Commerce |
ONT’s programs don’t run without our volunteers. Each week, people from 8-88 pitch in more than 550 hours of service to unload trucks, stock shelves, chop vegetables, mop floors, answer the phones, serve dinner, and help guests shop in the market. This quarter’s spotlight focuses on Will Mauch, a 20-year-old Amesbury resident who works behind the scenes restocking the Our Neighbors’ Table market. Will started volunteering with ONT when he was in high school, and continues to return on his college breaks. This year, he even recruited a friend! | ONT Board members Jane Albert, Frank Childs, Ginny Eramo and Greg Jardis receive Nonprofit of the Year from NCC's Grace Connolly and David Strand at the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner. Enter to win premium tickets to Pats, Sox or Bruins! |
How can YOU help???
FILL EM UP FEST! Food truck festival on Newburyport's waterfront! Tickets and details coming later this month.
Check out our full calendar of events!
Sign up to volunteer!
"As donations for the capital campaign started to come in, we were inspired by the support and wanted to share that inspiration. We launched the 'Spoon Platoon' as a way to symbolize our desire to march hunger out of our community," explains Lyndsey Haight, Executive Director. To join the Spoon Platoon donors gave a commitment of $1,000 or more. "It became really fun when groups would come together to make the donations on behalf of their families and neighborhoods or in memory of lost loved ones; it was exactly the kind of community engagement we were hoping for," Haight recalls.
The debut of the Spoon Platoon Sculpture featured 171 spoons engraved with individuals, businesses, families, and even neighborhoods who contributed to ONT's Capital Campaign and supported its programs while the new facility was being constructed. The installation was unveiled at a reception on June 13th at The Jardis-Taylor Center.
In addition to the tribute to the many donors who joined the ranks of the Spoon Platoon, the reception also included recognition of the leadership donors who helped drive the success of the $1.1 million Campaign to Create a Place for Everyone. "The vision for a new home for our programs began 7 years ago among our small Board of Directors. That was the first charge they gave me upon joining ONT," remembers Haight. "We never imagined the need would have grown as much as it has, but that has never deterred us. We dreamed this was possible and stayed committed to that vision. None of it would be possible without our entire community, without Greg, without those strong leaders who believe in investing in the food security of our neighbors."
YOU can join the SPOON PLATOON today! Read more...
Funds from Cummings Foundation will support growth of ONT's grocery programs through 2018, including expanded programming at the market at The Jardis-Taylor Center and growing ONT's mobile market programs.
ONT was notified of the award by mail on Monday morning and will join the other 99 recipients for a formal celebration with Cummings Foundation trustees on June 8th.
ONT is incredibly grateful for Cummings' investment in our future and their understanding that all of our neighbors deserve food on their tables.
Learn more about ONT's programs and services. | ONT provided 550,000 meals to neighbors in need in 2016. Read our annual report for more details. |
You, too, can support ONT's programs. Make a donation today!
By Rebekah C. Doughty
“They were short-handed and needed a couple more volunteers, so I got up off the couch and headed down,” said Plouff. “I’ve been here every Wednesday since.”
Nine years later, Plouff has become part of the ONT family and formed some close friendships with the guests and his peers – the other 45 diligent volunteers who prepare and serve dinner each Wednesday night at Our Neighbors’ Table.
“When it’s slow, we sit and chit chat,” said Plouff, who hand-delivers to-go meals and a friendly smile to a couple of his regular guests. “I love the interaction. It’s part of our role here.”
“His eyes light up when he sees all the cakes,” said Elliot, who often handles the dessert station. “His grandmother often says to him, ‘Aren’t we lucky to get such a good meal?’”
Our Neighbors’ Table is located in Amesbury but serves 12 surrounding towns. It began in 1992 with a spaghetti dinner attended by eight guests. Today, the organization provides a hot meal consisting of soup, a main entrée with side items, dessert and a to-go meal to anywhere between 100 and 150 guests each Wednesday evening. Each table even has its own fresh-baked bread basket, thanks to a handful of regular Tuesday volunteers, and a dedicated server who brings drinks to order and second helpings.
“This is a restaurant-quality meal,” said Jim Miller, ONT’s meal manager. “Tonight we’re serving steak tips, rice and stir-fry veggies and a shrimp and corn chowder. We’re really upping the quality of the food.”
A former chef and culinary professor, Miller took over the role a little over a year ago and enjoys lending his expertise to serve the greater good.
“If we rotated between meatloaf, roasted pork, baked fish and chicken, our guests would be happy,” Miller said. “But this isn’t a soup kitchen. We’re trying to get rid of the stigma and just provide an inviting place for folks to come and have a nice meal.”
Our Neighbor’s Table is spending most of 2017 celebrating its 25th anniversary. According to Executive Director Lyndsey Haight, the anniversary has provided her the opportunity for reflection. “There’s something truly special about this community,” shares Haight. “When the average tenure of a volunteer is 10 years or more, you can’t deny there’s something special about this place. From 8 to 88, volunteers from all walks of life have brought their hearts and souls to create a welcoming place for all. Collectively, they have put more than 5 million meals on the table for neighbors in need.” |
“It’s become much more professional and organized,” Bob says of watching the ONT market grow. “The food we throw away in this country doesn’t make sense. This restores my faith in humanity.”
Bob recalls walking a young couple to their car with their groceries one day and learning that neither of them had eaten in a couple of days. Another guest was shocked when she learned she could return to the market weekly for more food.
“I see a lot of things here that touch me. Someone will get something for a neighbor in need. Here they are in trouble themselves and they’re helping someone else,” Bob said. “I definitely think I get more out of it than I put in.”
Plouff also remembers one family who really pulled at his heart. A young mom of four whose children always said please and thank you.
“She told me one time – ‘It’s just nice to be able to tell the kids to eat as much as they want.”
Celebrate 25 years of nourishing food, kindness and service with dignity with a gift to support ONT's programs today.
Most Needed Items Gluten-free foods Peanut Butter Canned Solid White Tuna Canned Chicken Baked Beans Canned Meals (Ravioli, SpaghettiOs®, Beef Stew) | Canned Fruit Bottled Juice/Juice boxes Ketchup Mayonnaise Cereal Pasta Boxed Pasta and Rice Soup | Toiletries! Toothpaste/Toothbrushes Shampoo, Deodorant Diapers & baby wipes feminine products |
The pantries are very grateful to the National Association of Letter Carriers for this very important drive, and are hoping that the public will donate as generously as possible to help them feed the individuals and families who come to them each day for assistance. Letter carriers will pick up food donations left at customers’ mailboxes on the morning of Saturday, May 13.
Most Needed Items
The pantries appreciate all donations of non-perishable food items and personal care products, but are particularly in need of the following:
Gluten-free foods, Peanut Butter, Canned Solid White Tuna, Canned Chicken, Baked Beans, Canned Meals (Ravioli, SpaghettiOs®, Beef Stew), Canned Fruit, Bottled Juice, Juice boxes, Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Cereal, Pasta, Boxed Pasta and Rice, Soup, Toothpaste, Shampoo, Deodorant, Diapers, baby wipes and feminine products. (NOTE: Glass jars sometimes break during this collection – consider plastic/canned options instead!)
Please help us by checking expiration/best buy dates on your donations. Remember to only donate things that you would want to eat yourself!
If You Miss the Food Drive and Would Still Like to Donate
If you miss the food drive and would like to make a donation, please contact one of the pantries below for information about dropping off items directly. Each of the pantries would be very grateful to accept your donations!
Did You Know?
- The food pantries listed above collectively serve residents in the following cities and towns: Amesbury, South Hampton, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury, West Newbury, Groveland, Byfield, Boxford, Rowley and Georgetown.
- Currently, there are more than 6,000 people living in northeastern Essex County who are struggling with food insecurity. That’s 1 out of 16 people, 1 out of 8 children, and 1 out of 5 seniors. (Greater Boston Food Bank/feedingamerica.org)
- More than 3,000 individuals accessed food assistance from the local food pantries in 2016.
Community Action, Inc., Amesbury: Dianne Halloran, 44A Friend Street (978) 388-2570
www.communityactioninc.org
Community Services, Newburyport: Betty Leary, 31 Green St (978) 465-7562
www.communityserviceofnewburyport.com
Our Neighbors’ Table, Amesbury/Merrimac: Lori Townsend, 194 Main Street (978)388-1907 www.ourneighborstable.org
The Pettengill House, Inc., Salisbury: Richard Henderson, 13 Lafayette Road (978) 463-8801 www.pettengillhouse.org/
New Release: 2016 Annual ReportIn 2016, ONT provided nearly 550,000 meals to almost 3,000 people across the region - a record for the organization. Last year also marked the opening of the Jardis-Taylor Center and officially changing the face of "food pantries". None of this would be possible without the hard work and generosity of the community. Read more about all that YOU have helped achieve in the 2016 Annual Report. |
2017 ONT Anniversary Fund Goal: $250,000!
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/1/28816211/cropped-2-1_orig.jpg)
There's much to celebrate as we look over the last 25 years, the nearly 10,000 people who have received food from our programs, the estimated 5 million meals provided, and the hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours served. But the truth of the matter is, 2017 will mark a pivotal change in the growth of Our Neighbors' Table. The new market at the Jardis-Taylor Center means more people can access food here and that ONT can leverage its capacity to help communities across our service region ensure all of their members are food secure. For 25 years, every year has broken the record of meals and people set the year before. And this year will be no different. With your help - and ONLY with your help - every single person who comes to our door will be welcomed and will receive the food they need. For our 25th anniversary, we need to raise $250,000 to help us provide the anticipated 800,000 meals needed in our community. Make your anniversary gift today!
Meet the newest members of the ONT team!Alice Tonry (left) and Betsy Melanson (right) are the newest members of the ONT staff, building the organization's development team. Betsy fills the new position of Development Manager, helping ONT to meet its annual fundraising goals and activities. Alice will be managing our volunteer program as well as our grants and foundations activities. Both bring a wealth of nonprofit experience and lots of enthusiasm. Say "Hello!" the next time you're at ONT. | 2017 Anti-Hunger Policy Conference in DCONT Mobile Market Manager Tracy Kane attended the FRAC 2017 Anti-Hunger Policy Conference with our partners from the North Shore Hunger Network. Read more about the weekend and Tracy's visit with our MA delegation on The Hill. |
Check out the full calendar of events for 2017!
April 30: | May 6: |
Archives
June 2024
May 2024
February 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
May 2023
February 2023
November 2022
October 2022
June 2022
May 2022
March 2022
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
March 2021
February 2021
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
November 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
May 2019
April 2019
February 2019
November 2018
August 2018
May 2018
April 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
December 2016
November 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
July 2015
November 2014
July 2014
June 2014
April 2014
March 2014
September 2013
May 2012
September 2010
Categories
All
Donations
Events
Food Insecurity
Fundraisers
How To Help
News
Programs
Table Talk Newsletter
Volunteers