Nonprofit Profile: Table to Table — volunteers fighting food insecurity

ByROI-NJ Staff(Hasbrouck Heights)

In brief

Location: 611 Route 46 W., Suite 240, Hasbrouck Heights
Serving: Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties
Key members: Ilene Isaacs, executive director; Gregory Mueller, chairman of the board; Julie Kinner, vice president, operations; Eda Tekeoglu, chief development officer

Origin

Table to Table, New Jersey’s first food rescue organization, was founded in 1999 by Claire Insalata Poulos with the support of a small, passionate group of volunteers, chefs, restaurateurs and guidance from City Harvest, in New York City. What began with one donated van, four food donors and three agencies that served hungry neighbors, quickly evolved into a thriving rescue program, serving the food insecure of northern New Jersey.

Mission

Committed to feeding our hungry neighbors, Table to Table rescues and delivers healthy, fresh and perishable food from grocery stores, food distributors and restaurants. 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.

Achievements

This past year alone, Table to Table rescued and delivered the equivalent of more than 39 million meals, and this year we’re slated to do even more! And, since 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. Table to Table is proud of the Charity Navigator 4-Star Rating for 11 consecutive years. 

Finally, from its humble beginnings to the present day, Table to Table has attracted a notable and dedicated hall of fame of culinary supporters — including, but not limited to — chefs such as David Burke, Peter Kelly and Laurent Tourondel.

Programs

As food insecurity continues to affect residents in Bergen County, a partnership between Table to Table, the county and the Russell Berrie Foundation has resulted in the development of the Table to Table I-Rescue App that expands Table to Table’s ability to feed more neighbors. Available on iOS and Android, the App is designed to provide opportunities for volunteers to pick up healthy, fresh food provided by smaller donors like restaurants and caterers and deliver it safely to agency partners such as food pantries, shelters, etc.  Please e-mail volunteer@tabletotable.org for more information.

Fundraising

Table to Table is independently funded through individual, foundation and corporate donations and grants. Additionally, Table to Table hosts a variety of exciting events throughout the year, including Bag Lunch, Help a Bunch, Annual Golf Classic and signature food and wine events. Also, support is garnered via cause-marketing campaigns and third-party fundraisers such as birthday events via social media or microsites.

Benefactors

Table to Table partners with a wide range of corporations that embrace Table to Table’s powerful network of community partners. These special relationships offer corporations a unique opportunity for employee engagement initiatives, branding and visibility.

Finally

Hurricane Ida tested Table to Table in a way in which it has never been tested before … not by Hurricane Sandy or even COVID-19! This ravaging flood destroyed its entire fleet of delivery trucks. Without the trucks, Table to Table was not able deliver meals. Immediately and without hesitation, the team worked tirelessly to get up and running. Since other local entities were also impacted, the organization had to battle for limited trucking resources, and are experiencing weekly truck rental costs and other unplanned expenses. Through it all, Table to Table did what was needed to do to ensure that deliveries were made and neighbors in need were fed.

Conversation Starter

For more information about Table to Table, go to: tabletotable.org,or call 201-444-5500.

Credit: https://www.roi-nj.com/