Table to Table at 25

Letter to the Editor

It’s no secret that more of our neighbors are struggling to put food on the table, in the wake of so many challenges these last few years. Covid, inflation and rising housing costs have made it difficult for so many people to make ends meet- and healthy food is often the first thing to get sacrificed by families trying to stretch every dollar.

At the same time, billions of pounds of nourishing food are thrown away each year in New Jersey alone.

The problem with hunger isn’t a lack of food in our world, our country, or our state. There is enough food to go around. Enough for every person who isn’t sure where their next meal will come from, every parent who skimps on groceries so they can pay rent and keep the lights on, every kid who goes to school without breakfast. We simply need to get the healthy food to where it is most needed.

As New Jersey’s first food rescue, Table to Table does exactly that- ensuring hundreds of thousands of our neighbors have access to fresh, nutritious food, and helping the planet at the same time, by keeping food out of landfills.

And we certainly don’t do it alone. It’s a collaborative process. Our fleet of refrigerated trucks is out on the road all week long, along with our incredible and growing team of volunteers who use our I-Rescue App. Our drivers and volunteers pick up fresh food from generous donors, including grocers throughout northern New Jersey like Trader Joe’s (Westwood), Wegmans (Montvale), Whole Foods Market (Woodcliff Lake), ShopRite (Emerson), and Kins and ShopRite (Hillsdale).

Once picked up from these locations, the fresh, nutritious food is delivered directly to pantries, shelters and group homes, and other nonprofit partners embedded in our communities. We provide food in Westwood at St. Andrews, Parkside Community, Connex4NPO, and the Annie Clyde Holt Food Pantry. We also provide fresh and perishable food to Children’s Aid & Family Services Group Homes in both Park Ridge and Montvale.

These are just a few of the amazing food donors and partner agencies that have contributed to the impact that Table to Table has made since our inception 25 years ago.

On the first weekend in 1999, with a single borrowed van and a few compassionate staff members and volunteers, we set out to not only rescue and deliver food, but to nourish the body, mind, and soul. Today- more than 311 million meals later- we continue to rescue and deliver fresh foods that help people live healthier lives, bring back memories of home-cooked meals from childhood, and help people feel cared for- that’s when we know we’re truly making a difference.

As Table to Table celebrates its 25th Anniversary, we want to share our deep gratitude with our donors, partners, volunteers, and staff. And we want to invite you to celebrate this milestone with us, by helping us meet our goal of rescuing and delivering enough food for 25 million meals this year.

You can volunteer to be a “Food Rescue Hero” through our I-Rescue App. You can donate, knowing that every dollar you give supports the rescue and delivery of 10 healthy meals. You can attend an event and connect in person with our growing community of supporters. Join our Drive for 25, www.tabletotable.org/drive-for-25 to learn how you can help keep our impact going and growing. Lets end food waste, and end hunger for our neighbors- together!

Heather Thomspson,

Executive Director

Table to Table

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