Welcome to The Community Table
The Community Table is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been serving nutritious meals in a welcoming environment to our neighbors in need since 1999. It is our vision that no one in Jackson County goes to bed hungry. Meals are served on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 4-6 p.m. Everyone is welcome and there is never a fee. Our pantry provides food boxes for home use; please call or e-mail for details. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, so come enjoy a nutritious home-cooked meal with us.
Due to space and time constraints, The Community Table’s Food for Kids program is now administered by Cullowhee Baptist Church in conjunction with MANNA Food Bank and is now known as MANNAPacks. However, The Table is still serving children and families throughout the year with our Food Pantry Program. We are able to help children at-risk or suffering from food insecurity and hunger, including those too young to be enrolled in school and have access to school lunches. Please help us by hosting a food drive and collecting nonperishable items for our pantry, for our families. Please contact us at ctofjackson@gmail.com for a current Wish List of needed items.
The Community Garden is an organic garden maintained by dedicated volunteer gardeners. The garden helps provide The Community Table with fresh produce to use in meal preparation and to distribute to our guests. Please click here to learn more.
From the Director:
March 2012 marks my fourth anniversary with The Table; the time has flown by as it is not just a job for me, but a true labor of love. There have been many changes over the years, with more to come. In 2008, we averaged serving 25-40 meals per day, that number is now 80 up to 120. In 2009, due to increased need, we instituted our Food Pantry program to provide boxes of food for home use. The need for that program has skyrocketed; in 2010 we provided 835 boxes, in 2011 it jumped to 2,008, and we expect this year to be even busier. Last year we also served 16,741 meals through our dinner service. The increase in need for emergency food assistance has also meant more overhead expenses and the need for additional dining, kitchen, and storage space. To meet those needs, we will be moving into our new home next to Sylva pool, hopefully by April 2012. The renovations have been extensive, and we are grateful to the many individuals, organizations, and businesses who have donated time, skilled labor, funds and materials.
I am often asked where our support comes from, and the answer is- you. Most of our support, both financial and in-kind, comes from donations from the community. I am very thankful that over the years our community has continued to support our efforts to serve our neighbors in need. I am also very proud to live in such a beautiful place as WNC, with such wonderful neighbors who truly care for one another's well being.
I ask for your support so that we may continue and improve our efforts to serve those in need in our community. We need financial contributions to help us with the many expenses of keeping The Table running. We need donations of food throughout the year, to be used both in meal preparation and to distribute to our clients. We need volunteers to help us with the many tasks for The Table. Together we can make sure that no one in Jackson County goes to bed hungry.
Amy Grimes, Executive Director
February 2012
Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the Charitable Solicitation Licensing Section at 1-888-830-4989. This license is not an endorsement by the State.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 1-800-795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.