Author: Aubrey Moore

Table to table, NJ’s first food rescue organization has received a $100,000 grant from Impact100 Garden State for its program, “Food Rescue Heroes: Bridging the Gap Between Food Waste & Food Insecurity.” This generous funding will enable the nonprofit, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, to expand its mission of rescuing food, reducing waste, and alleviating hunger into Morris County.

This expansion adds to its existing service areas of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Passaic counties. Food rescue efforts for this grant will be supported by Table to Table I-Rescue, a volunteer-based app powered by Food Rescue Hero.

Table to Table reduces food waste and supports local neighbors in need by providing fresh food, which improves health outcomes and nourishes both body and spirit. This effort also positively impacts the environment by keeping quality food out of landfills. Since 1999, Table to Table has rescued and delivered enough food to over 311 million healthy meals throughout northern NJ.

Credit: Vicinity Magazine Publications

Table to Table Receives Grant from Bank of America to Support Distribution of Fresh and Nutritious Food to Those in Need in NNJ

June 2024– Table to Table, a local non-profit organization dedicated to reducing food waste and feeding food-insecure neighbors, has received a $50,000 grant from Bank of America (BofA).

The grant will help Table to Table continue work to provide fresh, nourishing food for children and families, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and people facing financial difficulties. Increasing food and nutrition access will support better health for thousands of people while improving economic mobility in northern New Jersey. For 25 years, Table to Table’s work has positively impacted the individuals and families through partner organizations. Table to Table supports health and wellness through ongoing access to fresh produce, protein, dairy, and other healthy staples that are expensive and not readily available through more traditional food distributions.

“Enough food for more than 3 billion meals is wasted annually in our state, while nearly one million people face food insecurity,” says Heather Thompson, Executive Director, Table to Table. “BofA’s generous support and continued investment strengthens our mission, allowing us to get more fresh, nutritious food to those who truly need it and—in the process—ensuring that quality food doesn’t end up in landfills.  We are incredibly grateful.”

The grant is part of Bank of America’s philanthropic giving efforts in local communities. Grant recipients were selected for their commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families, including health and jobs.

“Working with Table to Table to increase food security and nutrition access for the residents of Northern New Jersey is part of our commitment to promoting positive change throughout the state,” said Alberto Garofalo, President of Bank of America New Jersey. “Their work isn’t just about sustenance, it is about delivering fresh and nutritious food that would otherwise be wasted. Investing in Table to Table demonstrates our role as a catalyst in strengthening our communities.”

Founded in 1999, Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit. What began with one food rescue in a donated van, has flourished to become an efficient and impactful operation and a force for change that—to date—has resulted in the rescue and delivery of enough food for over 311 million healthy meals throughout northern New Jersey. To mark their milestone 25^th anniversary, the nonprofit has set a goal of rescuing/delivering enough fresh food for 25 million meals this year, via its fleet of 6 trucks and volunteer-based app, Table to Table I-Rescue. Visit Table to Table’s “Drive for 25” for 25 fun, easy and actionable ways to celebrate and drive impact!

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,800 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).

Credit: https://www.mybergen.com/bergen-county-nonprofits/

Funding Will Help New Jersey’s First Food Rescue Organization Reduce Food Waste And Deliver Non-Perishable Items to Communities in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris and Passaic Counties

Saddle Brook, NJ (June 25, 2024)– Table to Table, a local non-profit organization dedicated to reducing food waste and feeding food-insecure neighbors, has received a $50,000 grant from Bank of America (BofA).

The grant will help Table to Table continue work to provide fresh, nourishing food for children and families, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and people facing financial difficulties. Increasing food and nutrition access will support better health for thousands of people while improving economic mobility in northern New Jersey. For 25 years, Table to Table’s work has positively impacted the individuals and families who receive food through partner organizations. Table to Table supports health and wellness through ongoing access to fresh produce, protein, dairy, and other healthy staples that are expensive and not readily available through more traditional food distributions.

“Enough food for more than 3 billion meals is wasted annually in our state, while nearly one million people face food insecurity,” says Heather Thompson, Executive Director, Table to Table. “BofA’s generous support and continued investment strengthens our mission, allowing us to get more fresh, nutritious food to those who truly need it and—in the process—ensuring that quality food doesn’t end up in landfills.  We are incredibly grateful,” Thompson concluded.

The grant is part of Bank of America’s philanthropic giving efforts in local communities.  Awardees were selected for their commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families, including health and jobs.

“Working with Table to Table to increase food security and nutrition access for the residents of Northern New Jersey is part of our commitment to promoting positive change throughout the state,” said Alberto Garofalo, President of Bank of America New Jersey. “Their work isn’t just about sustenance, it is about delivering fresh and nutritious food that would otherwise be wasted. Investing in Table to Table demonstrates our role as a catalyst in strengthening our communities.”

Table to Table

Founded in 1999, Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit. What began with one food rescue in a donated van, has flourished to become an efficient and impactful operation and a force for change that—to date—has resulted in the rescue and delivery of enough food for over 311 million healthy meals throughout northern New Jersey. To mark their milestone 25th anniversary, the nonprofit has set a goal of rescuing/delivering enough fresh food for 25 million meals this year, via its fleet of 6 trucks and volunteer-based app, Table to Table I-Rescue. Visit Table to Table’s “Drive for 25” for 25 fun, easy and actionable ways to celebrate and drive impact!

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,800 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 57 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).

Credit: https://paramuspost.com/article.php/2024062523050434

Table to Table, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing food waste and feeding food-insecure communities, recently received a $50,000 grant from Bank of America, the nonprofit group announced Tuesday.

The grant will be aimed at providing fresh food for all groups, including children, seniors, families, veterans, people with disabilities and people with financial hardships in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris and Passaic counties.

Table to Table Executive Director Heather Thompson said the grant will positively enforce combating food insecurity

“Enough food for more than 3 billion meals is wasted annually in our state, while nearly 1 million people face food insecurity,” Thompson said. “BofA’s generous support and continued investment strengthens our mission, allowing us to get more fresh, nutritious food to those who truly need it and — in the process — ensuring that quality food doesn’t end up in landfills. We are incredibly grateful.”

Table to Table officials aspire to positively impact the individuals and families who receive food through partner organizations such as Bank of America. The Saddle Brook organization supports health and wellness through ongoing access to fresh produce, protein, dairy and other healthy staples that are expensive and not readily available through more traditional food distributions.

Bank of America New Jersey president Alberto Garofalo praised Table to Table’s initiative for serving the state.

“Working with Table to Table to increase food security and nutrition access for the residents of northern New Jersey is part of our commitment to promoting positive change throughout the state,” Garofalo said. “Their work isn’t just about sustenance, it is about delivering fresh and nutritious food that would otherwise be wasted. Investing in Table to Table demonstrates our role as a catalyst in strengthening our communities.”

Credit: https://www.roi-nj.com/2024/06/26/lifestyle/food-hospitality/bofa-gives-table-to-table-50k-grant-to-help-fight-food-insecurity/

New Jersey’s first food rescue organization, Table to Table, is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from Impact100 Garden State for its program, “Food Rescue Heroes: Bridging the Gap Between Food Waste & Food Insecurity.”

The funding will allow the Saddle Brook food rescue nonprofit, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, to expand its mission of rescuing food, reducing waste and relieving hunger into Morris County, adding to its existing footprint of Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties.

Food rescue efforts from this grant will be supported by Table to Table I-Rescue, the nonprofit’s popular volunteer-based app powered by Food Rescue Hero.

“We are over the moon with excitement and incredibly grateful to the generous members of Impact100 Garden State for choosing to make this investment in Table to Table’s mission,” Heather Thompson, executive director, Table to Table, said. “We are eager to spread our wings into Morris County with our Table to Table I-Rescue App, and we look forward to welcoming Morris County partners and volunteers to our Table to Table family.”

Impact100 Garden State, an all-women, all-volunteer organization, pools member contributions to make high-impact grants. The collective giving group has donated more than $3.5 million to area nonprofits since it began grant-giving in 2013. This year, a record membership of 408 women allowed Impact100 Garden State to give four $100,000 grants for the first time.

Debbie Seme, president of Impact100 Garden State, said Impact100 Garden State was thrilled to support the essential work of Table to Table and to continue its mission of making a significant impact in the communities.

Credit: https://www.roi-nj.com/2024/06/14/lifestyle/food-hospitality/table-to-table-receives-100k-grant-from-impact100-garden-state/

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first food rescue organization, has received a $100,000 grant from Impact100 Garden State for its program, Food Rescue Heroes: Bridging the Gap Between Food Waste & Food Insecurity.

The funding will allow the food rescue nonprofit, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, to expand its mission of rescuing food, reducing waste, and relieving hunger into Morris County, adding to its existing footprint of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Passaic counties. Food rescue efforts for this grant will be supported by Table to Table I-Rescue, the nonprofit’s popular volunteer-based app powered by Food Rescue Hero.

“We are over the moon with excitement and incredibly grateful to the generous members of Impact100 Garden State for choosing to make this investment in Table to Table’s mission,” said Heather Thompson, Executive Director, Table to Table. “We are eager to spread our wings into Morris County with our Table to Table I-Rescue App, and we look forward to welcoming Morris County partners and volunteers to our Table to Table family,” Thompson concluded.

Impact100 Garden State, an all-women, all-volunteer organization, pools member contributions to make high-impact grants. The collective giving group has donated more than $3.5 million to area nonprofits since it began grant-giving in 2013. This year, a record membership of 408 women allowed Impact100 Garden State to give four $100,000 grants for the first time.

Debbie Seme, President of Impact100 Garden State, said “Impact100 Garden State is thrilled to support the essential work of Table to Table and to continue our mission of making a significant impact in our communities. Our members are an energetic, caring, and remarkable group of women who have the opportunity to learn so much about the needs in our communities and to make a difference every year through our Impact100 Garden State grants. Congratulations, Table to Table!”

For 25 years, Table to Table has bridged the gap for local neighbors in need by reducing food waste, sustaining those who are struggling, and contributing to their better health outcomes.

What began in 1999 with one food rescue in a donated van has flourished to become an efficient and impactful operation and a force for change that—to date—has resulted in the rescue and delivery of enough food for over 311 million healthy meals throughout northern New Jersey. To mark their milestone anniversary, the nonprofit has set a goal of rescuing/delivering enough fresh food for 25 million meals this year, via its fleet of 6 trucks and volunteer-based app, Table to Table I-Rescue.

Credit: https://njbmagazine.com/njb-news-now/table-to-table-receives-a-100k-grant-from-impact100-garden-state/

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Every Friday after school, a group of middle school students at Newark Academy in Livingston wash their hands, put on gloves, tie their hair back, and gather, package, and label an assortment of unused food from their school cafeteria. This surplus is donated to Table to Table, a food rescue program that delivers fresh foods to organizations that serves the hungry in Essex and three other northern New Jersey counties.

This mission was first started in April of 2023 by five students who were the in sixth grade – Ashlyn Wolfe, Rhea Vasovada, Nilya Damodaran, Ava Lavian, and Julie Neu. It began with a simple observation of wasted food in trash bins, a stark contrast to the hunger plaguing many communities.

“We saw excess food in the cafeteria garbage containers, and we thought this could be eaten by other people,” said Ashlyn. “We thought of donating the food.”

But first, they had to find an organization to partner with. They looked to find organizations that would take the food and give it to people in need, and found Table to Table.

They also had to pitch their plan to the school’s food service provider, Sage. “We made a presentation to them about what we wanted and how we would work with them and Table to Table to make it happen,” explained Rhea. Ever since, Sage has set aside surplus meals and foods each week for the students to pack and donate.

The founders’ passion soon spread to their peers. For sixth-grader Hannah Lazer, it’s about empathy and equity.

“It’s important that we donate to people who are less fortunate than a lot of us here,” she said.

Ashleen Callahan, also in sixth grade, recognized the project’s power to unite.

“It brings the community closer together. We get a chance to give back for everything we have,” she said.

The students are also committed to environmental stewardship by rescuing food destined for landfills.

They seamlessly and efficiently pack the leftover foods, which this week included asparagus, macaroni salad, grilled cheese, spinach and tofu, breads and bagels, and meat sauce; and store them all in tall racks before rolling the racks outside to a delivery vehicle.

“We’re making a dent raising the level of consciousness, providing these kids leadership opportunity, and they get it, they know what they have to do,” said advisor Debra Tavares. “They’re hard workers. And they feel good about what they’re doing, they understand the significance.”

During a recent Friday event, Table to Table’s director, Heather Thompson, told the Newark Academy students how inspiring she found them.

“The food you are packing today is going to a food pantry in Orange, not so far away, and they do a food distribution that reaches more than 1,500 people,” Thompson said. A lot of times when families go to food pantries, they get canned food, cereal, pasta, beans, Thompson added.

“Those things are important, but they don’t get a lot of fresh food, and deliciously made food, like this. You guys are doing a lot of good,” she said. “(If) we could do this in every school, just think how much food we could provide.”

The volunteers suggested inviting neighboring school s to see the food donation program, and said they would like to help them start similar programs at their schools.

Tavares, along with Newark Academy sustainability teacher Rachael Reeves and the students, are already looking into next steps. To begin, the students will present the program data a middle school environmental club meeting.

How many people did the food they collected that one Friday feed? “With 19 trays and two huge bags of greens, it will probably provide fresh, healthy meals for more than 100 to 150 people,” said Thompson.

Not bad for leftovers.

Credit: https://publisher.etype.services/West-Essex-Tribune