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We’re in this Together: How Martha’s Table is Increasing Food Access for Washingtonians During the COVID-19 Outbreak.

Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 10:48 AM

We’re in this Together: How Martha’s Table is Increasing Food Access for Washingtonians During the COVID-19 Outbreak.

For 40 Years, we’ve worked to support strong children, strong families, and strong communities. In the past few weeks, our work has reached unprecedented levels. We are working diligently to respond to increased needs due to the COVID-19 Outbreak.
The simplest of these needs is groceries. With only three grocery stores located throughout Wards 7 and 8, the demand for grocery items has grown at a rapid rate.
With over 162,000 visits by community members to Martha’s Table’s healthy food markets in 2019, it is now more important than ever that children and families have access to healthy foods.  

While expanding our reach, we’ve also ramped up our supports at our Commons and Maycroft locations. We have more than tripled the number of groceries we are distributing, all at no cost to our neighbors. Community members are welcome to shop as many times as needed during this time.

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The support doesn’t stop there!

Martha’s Table has partnered with the Capital Area Food Bank, DC Health, DC Public and Charter Schools, the Horning Brothers, the Office of the Attorney General for D.C., and the Office of Councilmember Trayon White, among others, to increase healthy grocery access in Southeast D.C. significantly.
Each week, the organization plans to distribute up to 6,750 bags of groceries through public food access sites, all at no-cost to community members. Our grab-and-go grocery sites are located in community hubs where residents frequent daily. 

As we learn more about the effects of coronavirus in our community, our strategy transforms to meet the needs of Washingtonians. New collaborations evolve through community conversations. In partnership with Knead Hospitality + Design and Clyde’s Restaurant Group, we’ve joined the Food It Forward initiative.
This initiative supports the hard-hit restaurant industry and provides quality food to vulnerable populations in the DMV. We distribute these packaged meals, made by local restaurants at our various food distribution touchpoints.

With all these expansions we must recognize everyone who is working tirelessly to make sure that these opportunities are available. To the volunteers who make our day-to-day run smoothly, we say thank you. To our MT team members who work tirelessly to make sure the organization stays on track during this crisis; we say thank you. To everyone who donated to help us support our community; we say thank you. To everyone dealing with this crisis; remember that we are all in this together and no one’s work goes unnoticed.

8 New comments

Bettye J Jones | Reply
April 5, 2020 at 3:51 PM

Saw a FB post that Martha’s Table will be deliveries to senior citizens in Ward 8 who may have mobility issues. To register to participate log into the following website https://mailchi.mp:/dccouncil/covid-342936 but have been unsuccessful. So I left a voice mail message on 202-328-6608.

    Whitney Faison | Reply
    April 14, 2020 at 3:36 PM

    Hi there! No need to register. You can find all of our food distribution sites here: https://marthastable.org/covid19/
    Under the community supports page.
    Thanks!

Lauren Brown | Reply
April 13, 2020 at 3:24 PM

Where are your food distribution touchppoints located? I have children and a senior in my home and I need help with providing enough food to feed all of us.

Elle | Reply
April 23, 2020 at 6:39 AM

What about the homeless population? With less people on the street that means less help by the way of leftovers and money. Is McKennas Wagon still distributing food?

    Allan DuBose | Reply
    April 24, 2020 at 8:28 AM

    Hi there! McKenna’s Wagon has been and will continue to distribute meals to our neighbors experiencing housing instability.

Michael | Reply
April 28, 2020 at 8:20 PM

Are any of these services available for single adults?

    Whitney Faison | Reply
    May 6, 2020 at 10:05 AM

    Hi there,
    Our grocery distribution services are open to all D.C. residents!

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