Category: Press Release

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ  November 29, 2021 – Table to Table today announced it has been awarded a Major Grant in the amount of $15K from The Provident Bank Foundation to support Table to Table’s Community Fresh Food Rescue Program, which serves those in need throughout northern NJ.

Table to Table was selected to receive the grant based on its goal to help those who are hungry eat healthier, be healthier and enabling them to apply meager funds to other critical needs.

“Although NJ is one of the wealthiest states in the country, 1 in every 4 residents do not earn enough to afford the basic necessities of food and housing,” says Ilene Isaacs, Executive Director of Table to Table. “Thanks to the generosity of funders like The Provident Bank Foundation, Table to Table can rescue more meals to feed even more of our hungry neighbors,” Isaacs concluded.

Hunger existed before the pandemic, but it has been exacerbated and brought to the forefront by the pandemic.  Previously, minimally impacted communities are now supporting long lines of those in need–many for the first time.  Overall, food insecurity in the 4 counties that Table to Table serves has increased from 40-62% 2019 vs 2020 and is even more startling for children, increasing 66-147%.

“We are pleased to help further valuable initiatives put forth by local organizations who are working every day to strengthen the lives of residents in our communities,” said Samantha Plotino, Executive Director, The Provident Bank Foundation. “We will continue to provide support to these important organizations that have identified an immediate need in the community and for the individuals they serve.”

About Table to Table

Table to Table is New Jersey’s first food rescue organization. Committed to feeding our hungry neighbors, Table to Table rescues and delivers healthy, fresh and perishable food from grocery stores, food distributors and restaurants, and in doing so, helps the environment. In partnership with hundreds of recipient organizations like food pantries, senior centers and school programs–along with its powerful network of volunteers–Table to Table supports health and wellness for all. Since its inception in 1999, Table to Table has rescued and delivered the equivalent of 227 million meals and saved 74,000 tons of potentially wasted food from landfills. And, through its I-Rescue app—powered by Food Rescue Hero—Table to Table has expanded its distribution footprint to include donations that serve smaller donors and recipient organizations. Independently funded through grants and donations, Table to Table is proud of its Charity Navigator 4-Star Rating for 11 consecutive years. Learn more by visiting https://tabletotable.org/

About The Provident Bank Foundation

The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 by Provident Bank to enhance the quality of life in the region through support of not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services in communities served by the Bank. Since inception, the Foundation has granted more than $27 million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities. For more information, visit www.theprovidentbankfoundation.org or call (862) 260-3990.

Press Contact:

Maria Sinopoli, Director of Marketing

917-532-6148

msinopoli@tabletotable.org

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ November 9, 2021 – Table to Table, New Jersey’s first food rescue organization today, debuts The Great Bergen County Turkey Take from Table to Table I-Rescue, a Thanksgiving initiative allowing Bergen County residents to personally donate and deliver a turkey to local food pantries and group homes in Bergen County. Now through November 23rd, residents can download the I-Rescue app, powered by Food Rescue Hero (Available on iOS and Google Play ) and visit here for more details. Or, simply make a donation to help Table to Table deliver more meals throughout the year to those in need.

“At this time of year, many of us have access to a free turkey from our local grocery store; so, why not put it in the hands of a neighbor in need?” said Ilene Isaacs, Executive Director of Table to Table. “Join us for The Great Bergen County Turkey Take, and you’ll be donating and volunteering at the same time to make Thanksgiving special for someone who might not otherwise enjoy the holiday,” Isaacs concluded.

About Table to Table

Table to Table is New Jersey’s first food rescue organization. Committed to feeding our hungry neighbors, Table to Table rescues and delivers healthy, fresh and perishable food from grocery stores, food distributors and restaurants, and in doing so, helps the environment. In partnership with hundreds of recipient organizations like food pantries, senior centers and school programs–along with its powerful network of volunteers–Table to Table supports health and wellness for all. Since its inception in 1999, Table to Table has rescued and delivered the equivalent of 227 million meals and saved 74,000 tons of potentially wasted food from landfills. And, through its I-Rescue app—powered by Food Rescue Hero—Table to Table has expanded its distribution footprint to include donations that serve smaller donors and recipient organizations. Independently funded through grants and donations, Table to Table is proud of its Charity Navigator 4-Star Rating for 11 consecutive years. Learn more by visiting https://tabletotable.org/

Press Contact:

Maria Sinopoli, Director of Marketing
917-532-6148
msinopoli@tabletotable.org

Table to Table Launches Annual Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ October 14, 2021 – Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and solely dedicated community-based food rescue program, kicks off its ever-popular Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch. This grassroots initiative invites individuals, employees in corporations and students in schools to donate what they would spend on lunch for a day, week, month or more to help Table to Table feed those who need it most. Donate Now!

“Many are unaware that 1 in every 4 NJ residents do not earn enough to afford the basic necessities of food and housing,” says Ilene Isaacs, Executive Director of Table to Table. “Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch is an easy way for individuals, schools and companies to be a part of the solution by donating what they would spend on lunch to help our hungry neighbors,” Isaacs concluded.

Individuals, employees at corporations and students in schools can energize their social networks to host a Bag a Lunch event. Fun competitions among different classes in schools or departments within a corporation, can inspire and engage participants. Also, involvement from different positions in an organization can help bolster the Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch event.  For instance, schools that involve the principal, PTA, faculty or parent community to support the challenge tend to create a powerful event. And, the team captain can help publicize the event via the school’s website, social media, and invite the Mayor to help kickoff or culminate the activity.

“As a community we have the ability to be a part of the solution to the problem of hunger plaguing so many of our neighbors,” says Isaacs.  “And, from now until December 3, you, your company…and even your child’s school can double your impact with our generous matches,” concludes Isaacs.

For individual donations, the first $15,000 raised will be matched by a former Table to Table trustee! And for donations coming from school teams, any donations raised will be matched up to $30K. The school in Northern NJ that raises the most will receive The Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch Bernard and Geraldine Segal Foundation Award for Student Philanthropy, which will be promoted through social media and publicity. Hurry, the match deadline is December 3, 2021. To get started on your Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch event, simply register here, or contact Shahna Sherwood.

Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch is made possible by generous sponsors including: Presenting Sponsor: Inserra Supermarkets; Platinum Sponsor: Becton, Dickinson and Company; Gold Sponsor: Takasago; Silver Sponsors: The Children’s Place, Eisai and Konica Minolta; and Bronze Sponsors: Aetna, Aspen Insurance, Freedom Bank, Hackensack Meridian Health, Movado and PNC Bank.

To help Table to Table in their mission to address food insecurity in Northern New Jersey, Donate Now! And, if your organization would like to become a corporate partner, click here or email Eda Tekeoglu. For more information on Table to Table, visit us at www.tabletotable.org.

About Table to Table

Table to Table, http://www.tabletotable.org is New Jersey’s first and only solely dedicated community-based food rescue program that collects fresh and perishable food which would otherwise be wasted and delivers it to organizations that serve people experiencing hunger in Bergen, Hudson, Essex, and Passaic counties in Northeastern NJ. With a fleet of refrigerated trucks, perishable food is picked up from commercial donors and delivered to more than 250 recipient organizations. Recipient partners include soup kitchens, homeless shelters, older adult programs, day care centers, and programs for the working poor. Food is provided free of charge. Table to Table raises all its own funds every year, and this year will deliver enough food for 39 million meals.

Press Contact:

Maria Sinopoli, Director of Marketing

917-532-6148

msinopoli@tabletotable.org

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, September 23, 2021 –Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and oldest food rescue program, raised enough funds to provide 2.5 million meals for its hungry neighbors in Northern NJ. The organization’s 2021 Virtual Chefs Gala was held on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 and welcomed New Jersey’s business and philanthropic leaders.

“The generosity of our supporters never ceases to amaze me, and—as a result—we’re thrilled to be able to rescue 2.5 million meals for those who need it most,” said Ilene Isaacs, Table to Table’s Executive Director. “We are also so grateful for our many sponsors who made our Virtual Chefs Gala not only possible but also a tremendous success!”

This year’s gala honored internationally acclaimed celebrity Chef David Burke, a trustee and supporter of Table to Table since its inception more than 20 years ago. Also honored were the essential workers of the food industry of Inserra Supermarkets and HelloFresh, who are critical in feeding our community. Presented by American Express, this exclusive, interactive experience featured a delectable, 3-course meal curated by Chef David Burke and delivered to participants’ home. Plus, amazing travel, food, and wine packages were featured during the high-end auction hosted by Nicholas D. Lowry, who’s seen on Antiques Roadshow. Special support is being provided by American Airlines, Crestron, Inserra Supermarkets and Summit Associates.

To help Table to Table in their mission to eliminate food insecurity in Northern New Jersey, Donate Now! And, if your organization would like to become a corporate partner, click here or email Eda Tekeoglu. For more information on Table to Table, visit us at www.tabletotable.org.

About Table to Table

Table to Table, http://www.tabletotable.org, is a community-based, not-for-profit food rescue program that collects fresh and perishable food which would otherwise be wasted and delivers it to organizations that serve people experiencing hunger in Bergen, Hudson, Essex, and Passaic counties in Northeastern NJ. With a fleet of refrigerated trucks, perishable food is picked up from commercial donors and delivered to more than 250 recipient organizations. Recipient partners include soup kitchens, homeless shelters, older adult programs, day care centers, programs for survivors of domestic violence, after-school programs, and pantries serving the working poor. Food is delivered on the day of donation and is provided free of charge. Table to Table raises all its own funds every year, and last year delivered enough food for 38 million meals.

Table to Table Honors Celebrity Chef David Burke

 and Essential Food Industry Workers from Inserra Supermarkets & HelloFresh at September 22, 2021  Virtual Chefs Gala

Guests Will Savor a 3-Course David Burke-Curated Meal

 and Participate in Charity Auction Hosted by Nicholas D. Lowry, from Antiques Roadshow

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, August 25, 2021 – New Jersey’s ‘Who’s Who’ can join Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and oldest food rescue program, at its 2021 Virtual Chefs Gala on Wednesday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m. Honorees include internationally acclaimed celebrity Chef David Burke, a trustee and supporter of Table to Table since its inception more than 20 years ago. Also honored will be the essential workers of the food industry of Inserra Supermarkets and HelloFresh, who are critical in feeding our community. Presented by American Express, this exclusive, interactive experience features a delectable, 3-course meal curated by Chef David Burke and delivered to your door with special options for those out of the area. Plus, amazing travel, food, and wine packages will be featured during the high-end auction hosted by Nicholas D. Lowry, who’s seen on Antiques Roadshow. Special support is being provided by American Airlines, Crestron, Inserra Supermarkets and Summit Associates. Purchase tickets here today!

“This year, our Gala honors the extraordinarily talented Chef David Burke for the more than 20 years of unwavering support that he so graciously has provided to Table to Table in helping us live out our mission to rescue fresh food and deliver it to organizations that feed our hungry neighbors,” said Ilene Isaacs, Table to Table’s Executive Director. “We also salute the food industry’s numerous essential workers from Inserra Supermarkets and HelloFresh who tirelessly masked up, stocked shelves, served customers, and worked to feed our communities during the Pandemic.”

2021 Chef Gala Honoree David Burke

Fueled by passion, grit, and a knack for artful innovation, David Burke is one of the best known and most respected chefs in modern American cuisine. A leading pioneer in American cooking, Burke, a New Jersey native, is also recognized internationally for his revolutionary techniques, successful restaurant empire, and his many TV appearances. Additionally, his altruism is as extensive as his professional accomplishments, especially as it relates to Table to Table, where for upwards of 20 years David has been a devoted trustee of the Northern NJ food rescue program. David has graciously and generously contributed his time, support, and culinary expertise to increase the visibility of the organization and its mission. For this and so much more, Table to Table thanks you, Chef Burke!

2021 Chef Gala Honorees: Essential Workers of Inserra Supermarkets & HelloFresh

Dedicated, hard working, essential workers in the food industry from Inserra ShopRites and HelloFresh took care of generously feeding New Jersey during the pandemic. When most were staying home, the teams at Inserra ShopRites and HelloFresh made sure that our community was fed. To all of those countless essential workers who went the extra mile, Table to Table salutes you!

“During the height of the pandemic, which was especially devastating for people experiencing food insecurity, Table to Table provided 38 million meals in Northern New Jersey,” added Isaacs. “And, through the continued support and generosity of our sponsors and Chefs Gala attendees, we hope to feed even more of our neighbors,” Isaacs concluded.

To help Table to Table in their mission to eliminate food insecurity in Northern New Jersey, Donate Now! And, if your organization would like to become a corporate partner, click here or email Eda Tekeoglu. For more information on Table to Table, visit us at www.tabletotable.org.

About Table to Table

Table to Table, http://www.tabletotable.org, is a community-based, not-for-profit food rescue program that collects fresh and perishable food which would otherwise be wasted and delivers it to organizations that serve people experiencing hunger in Bergen, Hudson, Essex, and Passaic counties in Northeastern NJ. With a fleet of refrigerated trucks, perishable food is picked up from commercial donors and delivered to more than 250 recipient organizations. Recipient partners include soup kitchens, homeless shelters, older adult programs, day care centers, programs for survivors of domestic violence, after-school programs, and pantries serving the working poor. Food is delivered on the day of donation and is provided free of charge. Table to Table raises all its own funds every year, and last year delivered enough food for 38 million meals.

Press Contact:

Maria Sinopoli, Director of Marketing

917-532-6148

msinopoli@tabletotable.org

Debuting in Bergen County, the Table to Table I-Rescue App Facilitates Smaller Commercial Donations to Often Overlooked Community Partners

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first & only dedicated food rescue program, again makes history with the launch of its Table to Table I-Rescue App, initially offered exclusively in Bergen County.  Powered by the developer Food Rescue Hero, the app not only responds to the 10% increase in food insecurity witnessed by county residents since the start of the pandemic, but also prevents food wastage, benefiting the environment.

Download it today – IOS or Google Play

“During this pandemic, which has been especially devastating for people experiencing food insecurity, Table to Table has provided 39 million meals in Northern New Jersey through our larger commercial food donations,” said Ilene Isaacs, Table to Table’s Executive Director. “With the launch of the Table to Table I-Rescue App, we can feed more residents in need by leveraging smaller, commercial donations like those from restaurants, country clubs, and farmers markets which cannot efficiently be picked up by a truck so might otherwise go to waste. This food can then go to smaller agencies, such as group homes, that often get overlooked,” Isaacs concluded.

The Table to Table I-Rescue App matches smaller commercial food donors with a network of tireless Table to Table volunteers who pick up and deliver fresh, wholesome food to community-based agency partners, who can then identify local families in the greatest need. The list of agencies the app will benefit is growing.

“We are grateful to Bergen County and The Russell Berrie Foundation for funding that has enabled this program to launch in Bergen County,” said Julie Kinner, Director of Recipient Relations and Community Affairs. “With the help of our dedicated partners and volunteers, we’re hopeful to launch in additional counties in Northern New Jersey, where we can continue to make a meaningful impact in our community,” concluded Julie.

To help Table to Table in their mission to eliminate food insecurity in Northern New Jersey, Donate Now!  To learn more about donating food that is prepared in a commercial kitchen, please email Andrea Ibarra.  If you are interested in volunteering your time to pick and deliver food, learn more and sign up here.  And, if your organization would like to become a Corporate Partner, click here or email Eda Tekeoglu. For more information on Table to Table, visit us at www.tabletotable.org.

About Food Rescue Hero

Focusing on the logistical challenges of retail food recovery, Food Rescue Hero addresses problems through technology-coordinated, community-powered networks. Through the app, volunteer drivers are alerted when surplus food is available to be picked up near them. Since its launch in 2016, the app has redirected more than 11 million pounds of perfectly good food from landfills to the people who need it. Food Rescue Hero is based in Pittsburgh and now measurably impacts food insecurity in Cleveland, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Northern Virginia, Los Angeles, and Vancouver, B.C. In support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2, 12 and 13, its goal is to scale food recovery in 100 cities by 2030.

About Table to Table

Table to Table, https://tabletotable.org, is a community-based, not-for-profit, food rescue program that collects fresh and perishable food which would otherwise be wasted and delivers it to organizations that serve people experiencing hunger in Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Passaic counties in Northeastern NJ. With a fleet of refrigerated trucks, perishable food is picked up from commercial donors and delivered to more than 250 recipient organizations. Recipient partners include soup kitchens, homeless shelters, older adult programs, day care centers, programs for survivors of domestic violence, after-school programs and pantries serving the working poor. Food is delivered on the day of donation and is provided free of charge. Table to Table raises all its own funds every year, and last year delivered enough food for 38 million meals.  www.tabletotable.org

Press Contact:

Emily Force, Director of Marketing

201.951.9798

eforce@tabletotable.org

Our Impact – The Video Version

I’m Gregory Mueller, the new Chairman of the Board for Table to Table. A year ago I would not have imagined that I would be the volunteer leader of this food rescue program that my family and I have supported over the past 10 years. But with the widespread economic and social disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the related spike in need for food relief, the work of this organization has grown more critical.

The video you are about to see will give you a flavor of what we do and the scope of the need. I welcome you to join me, ensuring that our fleet of 7 refrigerated trucks continue to bring much needed fresh, nutritious food that without Table to Table would be wasted, to the more than 400,000 people who rely on our no-cost service each day. Although we have already exceeded our 2020 goal of 27 million meals by 42%, there remains demand beyond the 35 million delivered. Working together we can accomplish so much more.

On behalf of our team and our northern New Jersey community, we wish you and your family good health, peace and joy this holiday season.

Every $1 donated provides 10 HEALTHY meals!

$25
Brings fresh produce to a family of 4 for 2 months.

$50
Helps deliver enough food for 500 healthy dinners.

$100
Provides a month of breakfasts for the Veterans living in a Paterson shelter.

$500
Provides a week of meals for the senior adults at our Lincoln Park Market.

$1,000
Delivers a weeks-worth of nutritious food to students and their families at a school hub in Newark.

$5,000
Provides healthy dinners for 200 families for 2 months.

$10,000
Covers fuel costs for the Table to Table fleet of refrigerated trucks for 3 months.