Food Wish Lists
McKenna's Wagon
Sandwich needs: wholegrain breads, sliced turkey, ham and other healthy sliced meats
Soup ingredients - Fresh whole and cut vegetables, spices, pasta, canned vegetables, legumes, pasta, rice, turkey, ham, chicken
Fresh fruit - apples, oranges, bananas, pears, plums and peaches
Nonperishable foods for family grocery bags
Rice, dried and canned beans, canned soups, canned fruits and vegetables, cereals, pasta, tomato sauce, coffee, tea.
Daycare program
Baby cereal (rice, oatmeal, and mixed)
Plain Cheerios
Gerber and Beechnut jar food (sweet potatoes/peas/green beans/carrots/mixed cereal)
Mini juice, soy milk, and rice milk boxes
Fruit, Jello, Apple Sauce, and Pudding cups
Graham crackers and cheese crackers (no peanut butter)
Children's Program and Bridge Program
Fruit cups
Individually boxed or foiled juices
Fresh fruits and yogurt
Fruit bars and cereal bars
Boxed cereal (cheerios, corn chex, rice chex, corn flakes)
Individual bottled water
Crackers and Children's "Lunchables"
Cheese Sticks
Popsicles
Mixed nuts and individually-wrapped dried fruits
Snack-size chips, pretzels, etc.
Rice Crispy Treats
Large cans of fruits and vegetables
Teen Program
Bottled water, juice, and Gatorade
Popsicles
Fruit snacks, fruit, and yogurt
Individual packs of cereal, chips, etc.
Cereal bars and fruit bars
**New School Supplies are always welcomed.**
Supplies for the Daycare and Children's Programs (ages 3 months to 18 years) needed year-round
gift cards for Lakeshore Learning Store (Teacher store located at 7009-A Manchester BLVD Alexandria VA 22310 or Lakeshore Learning Store on the Web)
Thermometers
Band-aids and First Aid Kits
Washable markers, washable paint, large crayons
New socks and underwear for children especially in smaller sizes
Diapers, Pull-ups, baby wipes, baby bottles
Facial tissue, bathroom tissue, paper towels, anti-bacterial liquid soap, shampoo, toothpaste (unopened), toothbrushes (new)
Coats--lightweight and rain proof jackets, as well as heavy coats
Small umbrellas
Martha's Outfitters' Needs
Winter Clothing and other items needed for adults and families
Men's jeans and boots in all sizes, especially large (i.e., sizes 10-14)
Men's and women's waterproof coats and parkas
Thermal underwear, socks, hats and gloves, sweatshirts and sweatpants in large sizes
Towels and washcloths
Pots and pans
Toiletries
Blankets
Super Special Wish List
- New computers for classrooms or Dell certificates for computers
- New digital camera for photography projects
- A power point projector
- A large screen television
- Tickets to sporting events around Washington, DC
- Movie or theater passes
- Gift cards from Target, Old Navy, Best Buy, Safeway, Giant or CVS
Please note:
- Food can be dropped off any weekday between 8am and 6pm, and weekends from 12pm to 6pm.
- Clothing, toiletries, and other items for Martha's Outfitters can be dropped off Tuesdays through Saturdays between 7:30am and 12:00noon.
If you have any questions, please call or email:
Regarding food operations, drop-offs and pick ups:
Demetrios Recachinas (Food Manager) at 202-328-6608 ext 214
or drecachinas@marthastable.org
Regarding clothing, toiletries and other housewares donations:
Inge Ashley (Martha's Outfitters) at 202-328-6608 ext 230
or iashley@marthastable.org
Regarding anything and everything!!
Areesah Mobley (Development Coordinator) at 202-328-6608 ext 226
or amobley@marthastable.org
Officers of the Board - Updated Apr. 1, 2008
- Chair: Barbara Washburn
- Vice Chair: Rev. Ed Harding
- Vice Chair: Cathy Sulzberger
Other Board Members: - Updated Aug. 1, 2007
- Ana Anders, Director
- Stacie Lee Banks, Director and Secretary of the Corporation
- Doug Bibby, Director
- Elizabeth Farrell, Director
- Linda Moore, Director
- Julie O'Keefe, Director
- Veronica Parke, Director and President Emeritus
- Yalanda Lang-Resimini, Director
- Domingo Rodriguez, Director and Treasurer of the Corporation
- Nicholette Smith-Bligen, Director
- Mark Stumpf, Director
- Lori Vise, Director
- Frank Weis, Director
Martha's Table Staff
- President: Lindsey Buss
- Director of Development: Ann Haskins-Brookover
- Director of Finance: Valerie Walker
- Director of Food Services and Facilities: Dominick Musso
- Martha's Outfitters: Inge Ashley
- Food Services Manager: Demetrios Recachinas
- Volunteer Services: Crystal White
- Director of the Teen Program: Timothy Jones
- Director of the Children's and Bridge Program: Juanita Cammon
- Bridge Program Manager: Maimunah Marah
- Director of the Child Development Center: Simone Hopkinson-Johnson
- Human Resources Manager: Bonnie Niles
Hugs
Hugs to me are a way of showing love.
I like to get a hug when I'm feeling down about my grades.
When I don't get a passing grade, I feel sad.
If my cat is sick, I give it a lot of hugs.
I hug my mom all of the time, no matter how she feels.
Hugs make me feel very special.
Brandon, age 9
Untitled
Living for some of the saddest children.
Dancing in honor of their people.
Trying to keep everything the same way.
When they are an inch away.
In pursuit of the melting pot.
Kadijatu, age 12
Why I count
A future techer I shall be
To teach the children of D.C.
I'll teach them to read and write
And even how to be polite
I'll teach in D.C.'s Public Schools
Where children follow rules
I'll show the children how to be
Model citizens of D.C.
I'm just a kid you can see
But when I grow up I'll feel the need
To tech the children of D.C.
That's why I count.
Irma, age 8
Food donations are accepted weekdays from 8:00am-6:00pm, and weekends from 12:00pm-6:00pm Financial donations are accepted by mail or online seven days a week. Clothing and other household items are accepted between the hours of 7:30am to 12:00 noon Tuesday through Saturday. Clothing donations must be clean, in season, on hangers, in sturdy shopping bags or medium sized boxes. Please do not bring loose items or clothing thrown in trash bags. New items are always accepted. Please refer to our wish list.
Gifts of Stock or Appreciated Securities
Please call Ann Haskins-Brookover at 202-328-6608 ext 224 for information on how you can give a donation of stock or appreciated securities to Martha's Table. She can be reached by e mail at abrookover@marthastable.org.
Bequests and estate planning options
Please consider including Martha's Table in your will. Please call Ann Haskins-Brookover at 202-328-6608 ext 224 for more information on how you can experience the rewards of making a planned gift. She can be reached by e mail at abrookover@marthastable.org.
CFC/United Way Campaign.
Please designate United Way #8445 and CFC #29262.
Thank you to all our donors and volunteers who support us year in and year out. Every fall Washington area businesses and government agencies are once again conducting United Way and Combined Federal Campaigns. We ask for your help by designating Martha's Table's assigned numbers (#8445 United Way and #29262 CFC) to ensure that your donations will help our children and their families.
Martha's Table:
- Is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization under IRS Code § 501 (c)(3).
- Is audited annually.
- Participates in the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (# 8445).
- Will provide Federal tax identification information upon request.
Volunteers are critical to the success of Martha's Table. Volunteers range in age from elementary students to retirees. Schools, church groups, civic groups, business and law offices, employees from many businesses around the Washington DC metro area make up the corps of 4000 regular volunteers and the approximately 4000 additional individuals and groups that give occasional service. We also have volunteers coming from many church and youth groups from around the US. In addition, we have visits from international groups from Hungary, Africa, Russia, Latin America, China, and Japan. Martha's Table is being used as a model for learning how to attract, retain and utilize volunteer services to maximize their potential.
To learn more about volunteer activities or to schedule a time to volunteer please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 202-328-6608 or volunteer@marthastable.org.
Volunteer activities are available in the following areas:
- Preparing food
- Making sandwiches
- Working with children in the Day Care
- Tutoring and/or mentoring in the children and youth programs
- Sorting clothes for display in Martha's Outfitters
- Driving and staffing McKenna's Wagons vans
School or Court-Mandated Community Service
As availability in our schedule allows, Martha's Table is able to accommodate those completing school or court mandated community service. Prior to your arrival, you must schedule an appointment with the Volunteer Coordinator to receive approval to volunteer at Martha's Table, complete our Community Service Orientation, and discuss necessary paperwork and tracking of hours.
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 202.328.6608 or volunteer@marthastable.org to schedule a Community Service appointment and Orientation.
Download Volunteer Handbook
Over the course of the past year we served a total of 558,000 meals and snacks. Specifically, our food programs provide a daily meal, 365 days a year for approximately 1200 homeless families and individuals in Washington, DC, 500 daily meals and snacks for the 300 low income or homeless toddlers in our daycare and after-school learning programs, groceries once a month to approximately 200 families and individuals, and a holiday meal served here at Martha's Table three times a year (Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter) to a total of 6500 low-income or homeless individuals. In addition, every weekend we deliver over 85 meals to neighborhood senior citizens who are not able to come to us. Because many other non-profits doing great work for low-income and homeless children do not have kitchen facilities, we also collaborate with local family homeless shelters and other after-school programs to provide daily meals to their clients.
McKenna's Wagon is a mobile soup kitchen that operates seven days a week, 365 days a year. Each night the vans, driven and staffed by volunteers, roll out to five locations around the city serving sandwiches, soup, a dessert and tea.
Volunteers working at Martha's Table and at their churches, synagogues and work places need to prepare daily at least 3000 sandwiches, 65 gallons of soups and 65 gallons of beverages. Food ingredients are donated by grocery chains, food stores, cafeterias, bakeries and private groups. Your donations of food, vegetables, and fruit can help. Please check our wish list.
McKenna's Wagon vans leave Martha's Table at 5:00pm each evening stopping at the following locations to give out food and drinks:
- 5:30pm - 6:30 pm 5th and New York Ave
- 5:45pm - 6:45pm Sacred Heart Church 16th and Park Road
- 5:20pm - 5:45pm Pennsylvania Ave and 19th St. NW
- 6:00pm - 6:30pm 15th and K St. NW
To learn more about volunteer activities please contact our volunteer coordinator at 202-328-6608.
Volunteers are critical to the success of Martha's Table. Volunteers range in age from elementary students to retirees. Schools, church groups, civic groups, business and law offices, employees from many businesses around the Washington, DC, metro area make up the corps of 4,000 regular volunteers and the approximate 4,000 additional individuals and groups that give occasional service. We also have volunteers coming from many churches and youth groups from around the US. In addition, we have had visits from international groups from Hungary, Africa, Russia, Latin America, China, and Japan.
Martha's Outfitters, our newly expanded clothing center, provides free and low-cost clothing, linens, toiletries, books, and children's supplies to those in need. All proceeds from sales go to support the children and youth programs. It is open to the community five days a week from Tuesday - Saturday from 9AM to 2PM. Donations are accepted from 7:30am to 12 Noon from Tuesday to Saturday. See donation policy below.
Recently we have put a lot of effort into expanding Martha's Outfitters. All clothes are classified, sized and nicely arranged throughout the rooms. Every day our staff and volunteers sort, select and display from the newest donations.
Donation policy
Instructions for Used Items
- Clothing and other items must be clean
- Must be in Season
- Must be on hangers, or FOLDED in sturdy shopping bags or medium sized boxes.
- PLEASE DO NOT BRING LOOSE ITEMS OR CLOTHING THROWN IN TRASH BAGS.
New items and food are always welcome. Please see our current Wish List.
Away from the violence of the streets, every day, children, teens and parents, come to Martha's Table for:
- Nutritious meals and snacks for children and youth of all ages
- Academic studies with a focus on literacy and mathematics for the teens
- Interactive learning including tutoring, education games, computer learning
- Nutrition education
- Outdoor recreational activities with a focus on fitness
- Arts and crafts
- Community services opportunities
- Entrepreneurship education
People thrive at Martha's Table.
Programs include:
- Childhood Development Center provides day care for children ages 3 months to 4 years
- Elementary program includes before and after school program for ages 5-9 years
- Bridge Program offers after school programming for 10-13 year olds including a weekend component called GOAL (Get out and Learn) that combines academics with outdoor recreation
- Teen program for 14-18 year olds focuses on academics, college preparedness in addition to creative workshops including music, art and dance
- Parent Training and education classes are offered to parents of children in the program.
- Topics include communicating with your child, child development, challenges of special needs children
- All day summer camp offered across all ages 5-18 years old.
Martha's Table's mission is to help at-risk children, youth, families and individuals in our community improve their lives through the provision of educational programs, food, clothing, and enrichment opportunities.
Martha's Table Children, Youth and Family Programs provides more than 300 children and youth (ages 3 month to 18 years) with nutritious meals and supervised learning and literacy activities in a safe environment throughout the year. Martha's Table also offers family support services including parent training to our constituents.
McKenna's Wagon, our seven-days-a-week mobile soup kitchen feeds more than 1200 hungry and homeless people at many locations in Washington, DC.
Martha's Outfitters, our newly redesigned clothing center provides free and low cost clothing, linens, toiletries and children's supplies to those in need. All proceeds from sales go to support the children and youth programs.
Martha's Table:
- Is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization under IRS Code § 501 (c)(3).
- Is audited annually.
- Participates in the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (# 8445).
- Will provide Federal tax identification information upon request.
