Author: Mike Scheideman

Magical. If we had to choose just one word to sum up Table to Table’s spring signature events, that would be it. Our recipe for success is easy – take two of the culinary world’s biggest personalities, add 35 or so of the area’s most acclaimed restaurants and mix with a few hundred enthusiastic philanthropists and foodies. The result? Two extraordinary evenings that, once again, highlighted our mission to deliver food to those who need it most.

This year, Drew Nieporent and Michael Chiarello were our affable guests of honor for the Chefs Gala and Great Grill & Pig Out (respectively), charming audiences at flawless evenings at Alpine Country Club and The Estate at Florentine Gardens. Guests gathered to enjoy wonderful food, spectacular wines and impressive live and silent auctions. Proceeds from the evenings directly fund our 2011 operating expenses and keep our 5 refrigerated trucks running every day throughout Bergen, Hudson, Passaic and Essex counties.

Table to Table was thrilled to participate in the World Chocolate Expo, on Sunday March 6th.  The day started off with a chocolate covered macaroon and finished with a night cap of Adult Chocolate Milk!  Many new friends were greeted, as thousands poured in for samples and the opportunity to purchase unique chocolate items.  Despite all the temptations, so many were interested in learning how we address the issue of hunger here in our own backyard.  The Expo founder and promoter, Marvin Baum, generously provided insulated bags for us to give to individuals who made a donation.  The bags were a huge hit, and left the expo center filled with incredible goodies collected throughout the afternoon.

Our sincere thanks to Kristen Tsarnas and the Allendale Woman’s Club for their generous support of Table to Table. Their fundraising efforts throughout the year help Table to Table and other local charities meet the needs of those who are less fortunate. Thank you!

Charity Navigator, the premier independent charity evaluator, has given Table to Table its highest rating – four stars. Charity Navigator offers unbiased, objective, numbers-based assessments of more than 5,500 charities in America. We’re proud to be one of only 24 charities in the entire state to achieve a four-star rating.  See our profile at here.

Table to Table’s fifth truck is on the road and, with a goal of delivering seven million meals this year, it couldn’t have happened a second too soon! This much-needed new truck (like all our trucks, it’s outfitted with top-notch refrigeration equipment) is helping us stay on track as we continue to add new food donors and recipient agencies, including our highly anticipated further expansion into Essex County in the coming months.