Thank You Volunteers for Showing Up, Again and Again

As Volunteer Appreciation Month comes to a close, we want to pause and offer a heartfelt thank you to every volunteer who makes our work at Martha’s Table possible.

Last year, nearly 5,000 volunteers contributed over 29,000 hours of service—whether by distributing evening meals with McKenna’s Wagon, creating welcoming experiences at more than 50 elementary schools through our Joyful Food Markets, or supporting our daily choice-based Martha’s Table Markets in Southeast and Northwest DC. No matter the role, your time and care make a lasting difference.

“Our volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission. Every hour, every act of service, and every smile shared creates lasting change. The support of our volunteers amplifies the impact on our community. Thanks to your dedication and commitment, Martha’s Table is able to show up for more than 30,000 neighbors each year with healthy food, family resources, and unwavering support.”

— Uneka King, Director of Volunteer Engagement

To wrap up Volunteer Appreciation Month, we hosted an event to celebrate our most dedicated volunteers—the ones who show up week after week with steady hands and open hearts. It was a joyful afternoon of games, music, delicious food, flower planting, and shared laughter—a chance to relax, connect, and reflect on the impact of their continued service.

This year, we had the honor of presenting the very first Joe Horning Helping Hands Award to Hanna Abebe, a dedicated volunteer who embodies the compassion and commitment that drive our mission at Martha’s Table. This award is named in honor of Joe Horning, a respected community leader and philanthropist who dedicated his life to advancing affordable housing and community development in Washington, DC. His legacy includes generously providing the resources and support that allowed Martha’s Table to grow and deepen its impact in Ward 8. We are proud to recognize volunteers like Hanna who carry forward his spirit of service and commitment to community.

Hanna only began volunteering about eight months ago and has already logged 165 hours of community service. “I didn’t expect to connect so quickly,” she shared. “But this place—and the people—make it easy to keep coming back.”

We truly cannot do this work without you. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, there’s always room for you at Martha’s Table. From packing groceries and sharing meals to supporting children and families, your hands, your heart, and your time matter.

Join us and be part of something special. Sign up today!