Author: Mike Scheideman

St. Paul’s Community Development Corporation

St. Paul’s Community Development Corporation in Paterson, New Jersey is a model organization that has been working in and around the Paterson community since 1966. We at Table to Table NJ are proud to have supported their good work throughout most of our 15 year history with the delivery of fresh food.

For five decades St. Paul’s mission has been to serve as an agent of hope, partnering with others to provide needs driven services that improve the quality of life and encourage greater self-sufficiency.

Utilizing a full-time staff of 21 people and hundreds of volunteers who are committed to making a positive impact on their community, St. Paul’s has flourished over the years.  They work tirelessly to coordinate local resources and non-profit organizations in NJ, like Table to Table, to accomplish their very challenging and much needed work.

The team at St. Paul’s delivers comprehensive, social services meant to provide the support and guidance needed to prevent homelessness and ultimately transition families and individuals into permanent residences. St. Paul’s offers the resources of managers, mentors, teachers, health care providers, social workers and counselors on every level throughout a client’s transition.

Currently, St. Paul’s works with more than 7,000 individuals and families each year. As a result of education programs, workforce training, and affordable housing, positive changes have been made in the daily lives of these program participants.

As one of our receiving partners, nutritious food is delivered to St. Paul’s at no cost.   This enables them to reallocate their precious dollars and put them toward these transformative programs that foster longer-term benefits.

For more information on the program at St. Paul’s Community Development Corporation, visit the SPCDC website.  For more information on our food rescue program, take a look at “How We Do It”.

At Table to Table we have been fortunate enough to partner with organizations that work persistently to ensure that the food received from our food rescue program provides access to a nutritional meal for each of their clients. One of those exceptional organizations is PERC.

The Palisades Emergency Residence Corporation, or “PERC”, located in Hudson County N.J., has been serving the community for 32 years. Throughout those three decades, the New Jersey non-profit has provided a shelter, a soup kitchen, a food pantry and even permanent housing to those in need.

The staff and volunteers at PERC work tirelessly to meet the annual increase in participants and demand for additional services. Supplemented with Table to Table deliveries of nearly 103,000 pounds of fresh, nutritious food, in 2013 alone, PERC provided more than 20,000 nights of shelter for individuals and families, the soup kitchen served close to 96,000 meals and the food pantry provided over 13,000 boxes of groceries to low-income families suffering from hunger and food insecurity.

PERC also works to educate the community much like we do at Table to Table. Their team has helped to debunk the stereotypes of poverty showing that there is no one group of people and no single circumstance at its root. Those who suffer are our neighbors, families and senior citizens from every area and every situation.

One of the inspirational stories that can be found on the PERC website is the life changing story of Mario. As a young man, Mario had to leave home because his mother was unable to afford food for the family.  After a period of time living on the streets, he ended up at PERC. With the food and shelter that the organization was able to provide, Mario was provided the stability he needed to work towards a better future.  Mario is now finishing college.

PERC provides assistance and hope to those in need and over the years has had an enormous impact on the community in Union City.  It has been a privilege for Table to Table to partner with the agency by providing the reliable food source that helps them do the extraordinary work they are known for.

For more information on PERC, visit www.percshelter.org.   For more information on Table to Table and our food rescue program, visit www.tabletotable.org.

When thinking of the people most likely to be food insecure, senior adults rarely come to mind.  Generally speaking, we tend to believe that seniors are able to reap the benefits of their lifetime of hard work and have people who can take care of them.  That is not always the case.

For seniors without children, those who have lost their significant other, or those whose families are facing hard times themselves, life can get pretty tough.  Retirement accounts have been challenged and stretched leaving many striving to just afford rent and basic necessities. When family lives far away, assessing the needs of elderly parents or grandparents becomes difficult and adds to the likelihood of a loved one needing assistance.

Seniors living in some of the most affluent areas are struggling.  Many purchased their homes when the community was less affluent, lived there for 40 and 50 years, and now find that they are unable to afford the high property taxes and other skewed costs inherent to the area.  They are physically and emotionally unable to move out of the only place they know to be home – and eating a decent meal is frequently one of the first sacrifices made.

On our Feeding NJ page, we have compiled vital statistics on some of the facts about hunger in our area. Through this research, we found that more than 25% of seniors live in a household where the income is 200% below the federal poverty level.  Think about managing your budget on little over $1,300 a month.  Well, the average senior adult has an income of $15,730 a year.  And that has to cover their home, utilities, clothes, transportation, medicine, health expenses and food.

Recent statistics show that in the United States, nearly 5 million adults over the age of 60 are food insecure. That means that 10% of all senior adults do not know where their next meal will come from.  Even more alarming, projected figures for 2025 suggest the number of food insecure seniors will increase by 50%.

The good news is that we have the ability to help. Much of the nutritious food we rescue is delivered to organizations that feed senior adults in this community.  It has been shown that a healthy diet, filled with fresh produce, lean meats and whole grains, helps to stave off some of the negative effects of aging.  And whether it’s a church, a shelter, or a local community center, the seniors not only can rely on their next meal, but they also have a chance to socialize and become part of a community, providing a social and emotional benefit in addition to the benefit of physical health.

For more information on the statistics surrounding hunger, visit the Feeding NJ page. For information on how you can help Table to Table NJ visit our Ways to Give page.

While most people know that there are hungry people around the world and that homelessness is pervasive in some regions, many are unaware of what is going on within their own community. Did you know that in New Jersey, in 2012, there were 114,000 children under the age of five living in poverty? Did you know that one-third of New Jersey residents do not earn enough to afford basic necessities, including food?

What does it mean to be food insecure? The most common definition of food insecurity is a person who does not know where their next meal will come from. According to the USDA, 15.9 million children are food insecure. How does that translate to the people Table to Table helps?

It might be surprising to learn how many food insecure people are living within the four counties our not-for-profit feeds. According to Map the Meal Gap 2013 (Feeding America):

In Hudson County, 16.9% of the population, which includes over 31,000 children, is food insecure

In Essex County, 19.6% of the population, which includes 35,000 children, is food insecure

In Passaic County, 15.3% of the population, which includes nearly 30,000 children, is food insecure

And in Bergen County, 9.9% of the population, which includes 29,000 children, is food insecure

The great thing about Table to Table is that we rescue food that would otherwise be discarded (but is still in date and 100% healthy) and bring it directly to the people who need it most, right here in this area. No warehousing, no sorting, no fuss.  Food is picked up and delivered on the same day.  In some cases, it is on the plate of a hungry child that very same night.  We do this at the internal cost of only 10 cents/meal, making us one of the most cost-effective hunger relief organizations in the country.

In 2013 alone, Table to Table rescued enough food to provide more than 11 million meals. In 2014, we will provide 13 million meals.  Along with the satisfaction of bringing millions of nutritious meals to our hungry neighbors is the joy of knowing that this food is not only nourishing, but is also the key to their ability to develop and learn and stay healthy.

The main ingredient to our success, however, is those who volunteer, donate and contribute to this important work.  To find out more about what we are doing to make a difference in our community, please visit our “How we Help” page.

Consider This

Did you know that according to the National Resources Defense Council, Americans throw out about 40% of the edible food produced, which amounts to roughly $165 billion in waste per year?  That number might seem a bit shocking, but it is true.  On a positive note, Table to Table has made a commitment to rescue edible, excess food and ensure that is accessible to the people who are hungry in northeast New Jersey, for as long as our help is needed.  It is our mission and more importantly, it is our privilege to do so.

Table to Table helps our struggling neighbors answer the question of where their next meal will come from.  To find out how you can join us and become a part of the solution, check out our donation options.

We are excited to announce that Table to Table has launched a new and updated website.  As technology is ever changing along with the need to feed our hungry neighbors, we felt it was time to enhance our website, not just aesthetically but also in content and functionality.

To improve on our past website we have integrated many new features including social media plugins as well as the addition of a Blog.  We want to communicate and connect with you on all your favorite sites including Facebook, Twitter and Google +. And by joining the social media conversation we hope that you will engage in conversation with us!

We also have completely revamped our donation page.  We believe it’s important to see examples of how your money is being put to good use.  No matter what amount you contribute, you can see how much of a difference you’ll really make.  And as always, your transaction is completely safe and secure.

Another page to visit is Table Talk.  We love this one!  Read up on testimonials from the individuals we serve. There are still so many to post so do check back to read up on the latest.  It’s stories like these that help us and our partners inspire you to join our work!

Finally, but perhaps most importantly, the new version of our website puts the core mission of Table to Table front and center. We want you to know who we are and how we meet and exceed our goals every year. It is important to understand that there are quite a few things that set us apart from other hunger organizations.  For example, as you may or may not know, we deliver food for free.  We take no government money and deliver nutritious food that is often served the very same day we pick it up!

So please, take a look when you have a moment or two.  Share your thoughts with us and share the site with your friends.  Feeding the neighbors in our very own backyards is our priority and we couldn’t do it without you!  As always, thank you for your support of Table to Table.

This spring, two renowned chefs will lend their star power to Table to Table’s spring signature events. Mario Batali, whose culinary empire spans 26 restaurants and food markets (including New York’s Eataly), and Food Network star Anne Burrell will join the area’s most popular restaurants for Table to Table’s premier food and wine events, the Chefs Gala and the all-new BBQ & B’Yond.  The settings range from formal to informal, but they share common themes: imaginative food and interesting wines served by some of the area’s most beloved restaurateurs, including Ryan DePersio of Fascino and Battello, Chris Albrecht of Eno Terra and Peter Kelly of Xaviars at Piermont.

On Wednesday, April 30, the black-tie Chefs Gala at Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange welcomes celebrated chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Mario Batali as guest of honor.  One of the world’s best-loved chefs, Batali presides over a culinary empire that includes 26 restaurants and food markets in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Singapore, Hong Kong and other hot spots. He has authored nine cookbooks.  The event showcases six notable chefs and their signature dishes, including Chris Albrecht of Eno Terra, Massimo Carbone of Brio, George Georgiades of Varka Estiatorio, Raffaele Ronca of Ristorante Rafele, Robert Albers of Pleasantdale Chateau, and Peter Kelly of Xaviars at Piermont. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with live entertainment by Mark Sganga & Friends. Celebrity auctioneer and Antiques Roadshow regular Nicholas Lowry of New York City’s Swann Auction Galleries will conduct the evening’s Live Auction. Lowry sits on the Board of Trustees of the Smithsonian Archives of American Art and has served an unprecedented three terms as President of the International Auctioneers Association. Tickets are $450 per person, $600 for VIP Patron tickets. VIP Patron tables of 10 are $6,000 and include priority seating, special recognition and a VIP gift bag.

On Thursday, May 22, chef, cookbook author and Food Network star Anne Burrell serves as guest of honor at Table to Table’s inaugural BBQ & B’Yond at Hackensack Golf Club in Oradell.  A versatile chef and TV personality, she currently hosts the popular Food Network shows Chef Wanted, Worst Cooks in America and Secrets of a Restaurant Chef.  The event brings together 28 of the area’s best-loved restaurants, all going “above and beyond” with a wide-ranging menu of signature dishes starring BBQ, burgers and bacon. A selection of wines chosen by Chuck Russo of Carlo Russo’s Wine & Spirit World will also be featured. Participating restaurants include Upstairs, Capital Grille, River Palm Terrace and Axia Taverna with desserts provided by Carlos Bakery. The lively and informal evening begins at 6:30 p.m. and features a silent auction and blues tunes by Mark Sganga & Friends.  Tickets are $195 per person ($150 for Young Professionals, 31 years old or under) and $350 for VIP Patron tickets. VIP Patron tables of 10 are $3,500 and include reserved seating, special recognition and a VIP gift bag.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS!

If you actually sat down and thought about how much food you actually waste per week, would you be willing to post that on Facebook? According to studies by the National Resources Defense Council, wasted food account for 25% of rotting waste in landfills across the United States.

One analogy the NRDC poses is that if every person were to go to the grocery store and buy three paper bags full of food, and every person drops one in the parking lot and leaves it there – that would equal the amount of wasted food in the United States per year.

In New Jersey alone, there are more than 1 million people who have no idea where their next meal will come from. One thing you can do in your own home to reduce the amount of food wasted, is to buy less and eat more of what you purchase. Here are a few tips from Table to Table in NJ on how to reduce food waste in your home:

1. When you go grocery shopping, check the expiration dates. If you don’t feel like you will consume the product by that date, buy a smaller package.
2. When food shopping, don’t buy things just because they are on sale. We know – it’s hard to resist a good deal, but wasting isn’t part of a good deal.
3. Put smaller portions on your plate when serving a meal at home. If you want more, put another, even smaller portion on your plate. This will eliminate putting too much food on your plate that gets scraped into the trashcan after the meal.
4. Take leftovers and pack them for lunch the next day. If you don’t think you will eat it the next day, put it in a container and freeze to enjoy again at a later date.
5. Be sure your fresh food is stored properly. Make sure you put it in sealed containers and keep it in the appropriate temperature.
6. Start a compost. Many people think composting at home is way too much work. There is even a way to compost inside an apartment! For details and instructions on how to do this at home, visit the EPA.org compost page. Composting turns your uneaten biodegradable foods into enriched soil perfect for gardening.

At Table to Table we are passionate about cutting down the amount of food waste here in New Jersey.  Each and every member of this community has an important role to play ensuring that our environment remains safe and all of our neighbors are well-fed and healthy!

American Airlines Proudly Supports Table to Table

There are few things that I have owned for 15 years that I truly cherish. Without a doubt, though, supporting Table to Table ranks high on that list. The admirable organization that collects food and delivers it to the hungry is celebrating its 15th anniversary, and I am proud to say that American Airlines has been a champion for the non-profit since day one.

As a global airline, we understand our responsibilities as a global citizen begins in the communities we live and work in. American Airlines proudly participates in a wide range of sponsorship opportunities, and civic and charitable events throughout the Greater New York and New Jersey area.

Our hats off to Table to Table and their commitment to driving social change for a better quality of life for so many. In 15 years, they have taken risks, tried new ideas, formed fruitful partnerships and recruited amazing individuals who have propelled their work even further to change lives. Here’s to them and to those who elevate the world around them. Congratulations.

Joann Camuti
Regional Manager, Sales Promotions & Community Relations, Eastern Division