Martha’s Table Celebrates the Harvest

Days before Thanksgiving, on a crisp Sunday afternoon, the Martha’s Table community gathered to celebrate the season with a Community Harvest. As staff, volunteers, neighbors, supporters, and longtime visitors mingled over a holiday meal of turkey, stuffing, pasta, and salad, musicians crooned “At Last” and “My Cherie Amore,” while many danced and joined in for informal karaoke. The dining tables, donated by Susan Gage Caterers, stood outfitted with beautiful, fresh flower arrangements from Lee’s Flower & Card Shop, and were decorated with cards featuring harvest wishes from Martha’s Table Healthy Start students. Excitement filled every corner as people mingled at the affair, which they had come to anticipate annually. Martha’s Outfitters patron Allie chatted earnestly with neighbors at her dinner table, declaring: “Martha’s Table is my favorite place in this city!” Meanwhile, Steve, a neighbor, approached Martha’s Table volunteers hard at work preparing a delicious meal for our community! “Everything was cooked to a tee!” Nearby, Miranda reminisced with staff members about when her grandson, a Healthy Start student, had met President Obama years prior. Next door, at Martha’s Outfitters, staff and volunteers distributed 1,900 pairs of shoes to residents in need, thanks to the generous contribution of Kicks 4 the City, a non-profit partner. Later that afternoon, Martha’s Table volunteers helped run backdoor service to serve additional meals to neighbors in need. And that evening, McKenna’s Wagon rolled out— as it does 365 days a year—to ensure meals for hundreds of hungry and homeless residents. By the end of the day, over 700 hearty meals had been served. We extend our sincerest gratitude to our donors, volunteers, and neighbors for allowing us to foster such a tight-knit community!