JULY 2017 Update: 361 kids served (up from 167 kids in 2016)!!! 
The 2017 Summer Lunch Program has helped 128 families who have never received help from us before, for a total of 211 families served in the program so far this year.

​Please, consider a donation to help us fund this booming program. Every $1=1 meal!
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Now in it's 7th year, ONT's Summer Lunch Program is taking the fear of hunger out of summer and providing healthy meals and snacks to children across the region. NEW in 2017: ONT is excited to partner with the Boys & Girls Club in Salisbury to add a second distribution site!
Summer is a time of fun, a time to relax from the stress of school, a time to just be a kid. But for more than 2,400 children living in the Lower Merrimack Valley, summer means no school - and no school breakfast and lunch. 

Across the region, 1 out of every 8 school children lives in a food-insecure home. For these families, it is already a struggle to afford enough food to feed their children during the school year. At an average cost of $3/meal, the cost of feeding each child for the 9 weeks of summer vacation is $300. Compounded with costs of summer camp and childcare, the loss of school lunches quickly turns summer fun into summer angst.

ONT is proud to provide relief to these families, and to do so with wholesome, nutritious foods that children WILL eat! ONT's market serves families living in northeastern Essex County (see list of eligible towns below) with a genuine weekly shopping experience throughout the year featuring a full array of grocery staples, meats/fish, dairy, and LOTS of fresh produce. The Summer Lunch Program provides each enrolled family with even more groceries specifically for breakfast, lunch and snack foods - foods like fresh oranges, cherries, grapes, carrots, hummus, peanut butter and jelly, wheat bread, lunch meat, milk, eggs, and cereal. Families enrolled in the SLP get BOTH the program items and access to the complete market!

Parents from last year's program shared how the program helped them:
"Summer is hard financially because the kids are home and eat twice as much. God bless and thank you."
"Very helpful with two small children, especially most of the fresh food."
"[The program gave us] more options and stretched [our] food availability"
"My SNAP benefits didn't come this month so I needed everything!"

Whether kids are home for the summer, at daycare, or at summer camp, their parents can get them started with a wholesome breakfast and pack them healthy, nutritious lunches to keep their bellies full and their energy strong to run, jump, and enjoy the summer just like every other kid.

HOW TO ENROLL:
To enroll in the Summer Lunch Program, please call our office, 978-388-1907. Families new to ONT will complete a short registration at the time of your first visit. Only proof of residence is required (ID, mail, lease, etc.).

WHO CAN ENROLL:
The Summer Lunch Program serves all families with school-aged children living in: Amesbury, Boxford, Byfield, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, South Hampton NH, and West Newbury. ONT's market is open year-round to any individuals or families living in these towns. Items provided in the SLP are designed to meet the tastes and needs of children 4-18. Priority is given to families who qualify for free- or reduced lunch during the school year, but we rarely turn anyone away.
If your child is enrolled at the Boys & Girls Club summer program and you don't have transportation to Amesbury, you can sign up at the Club for our new distribution taking place there.

WHERE/WHEN IS THE SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM:
The SLP is primarily distributed out of the market at The Jardis-Taylor Center for Our Neighbors' Table during regular market hours (Thursday 3-6p; Friday/Saturday 9a-12p). For families enrolled at the Boys & Girls Club in Salisbury, groceries will be on-site at the Club every Wednesday. The program runs every week starting July 5 through August 26.

HOW CAN I SUPPORT:
Every $1 donated to the Summer Lunch Program provides 1 more meal to our kids. Make a donation now! AND, now through June 30, help us get $10,000 from KIND Causes by casting your vote for ONT's Summer Lunch Program!
If you're interested in volunteering, complete our volunteer application and email Alice or call her at 978-388-1907 today!

​William “Will” Mauch is a 20-year-old Amesbury resident who works behind the scenes restocking the Our Neighbors’ Table market. Will started volunteering with ONT when he was in high school, energetically lugging food up and down the stairs in our old basement food storage area, helping guests bring groceries to their cars, and greeting folks in the old pantry. About volunteering in the Jardis-Taylor center verses our old facility Will says, “There’s more space, easier to find things, it is very organized. I like the system of shopping with carts. It’s a nice building, I like it a lot.”

Now in its seventh year, ONT’s Summer Lunch Program is bigger than ever with 300 children already enrolled and a second distribution site added! The 8-week program, running July 5-August 26, provides extra groceries for healthy breakfast, lunch and snacks to families with school-aged children. This year we expanded our program to include a distribution site at the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Merrimack Valley in Salisbury. SLP helps cover the gap left when kids are no longer receiving free- or reduced lunch through their schools. We’re saving each family nearly $150 per month per child! To sign up for the Summer Lunch Program, call 978-388-1907. ONT is currently competing for $10,000 through KIND snacks’ KIND Causes. Vote for ONT today!

ONT’s programs are funded primarily through donations from local individuals, businesses and foundations. As need in our region continues to grow, their continued generosity will ensure we never have to turn anyone away. Our Neighbors’ Table recognizes those donors who are really leading the charge through our Spoon Platoon program, which was officially inaugurated on June 13th with the installation of a beautiful living sculpture created by local artists Ryan Kelley and Stephen Martin. Engraved spoons commemorate families, neighborhood groups, local businesses, and individuals who have made food security in our community a philanthropic priority, supporting the construction of The Jardis-Taylor Center for Our Neighbors’ Table as well as our day-to-day programs. YOU can join the Spoon Platoon today!

Your support opens the door for new guests every day. Every $1=1 more meal on the table!

Save the Date: September 9
FILL EM UP FEST! Food truck festival on Newburyport's waterfront! Tickets and details coming later this month.

One year ago, the Jardis-Taylor Center for Our Neighbors' Table opened its doors. The creation of this groundbreaking facility was the result of years of visioning and a steadfast commitment from an entire community to create a place for everyone. It was in those efforts, in the rallying of volunteers, donors, community leaders, that the Spoon Platoon was born. Today, the pioneers of the Spoon Platoon adorn the walls of ONT in a living wall sculpture that will continue to grow as more and more community members step forward to help us spread food security across the region.

The wood and aluminum sculpture was created through a collaboration between local artists Ryan Kelley (Wire by Ryan) and Stephen Martin.
"As donations for the capital campaign started to come in, we were inspired by the support and wanted to share that inspiration. We launched the 'Spoon Platoon' as a way to symbolize our desire to march hunger out of our community," explains Lyndsey Haight, Executive Director. To join the Spoon Platoon donors gave a commitment of $1,000 or more. "It became really fun when groups would come together to make the donations on behalf of their families and neighborhoods or in memory of lost loved ones; it was exactly the kind of community engagement we were hoping for," Haight recalls.
The debut of the Spoon Platoon Sculpture featured 171 spoons engraved with individuals, businesses, families, and even neighborhoods who contributed to ONT's Capital Campaign and supported its programs while the new facility was being constructed. The installation was unveiled at a reception on June 13th at The Jardis-Taylor Center. 
In addition to the tribute to the many donors who joined the ranks of the Spoon Platoon, the reception also included recognition of the leadership donors who helped drive the success of the $1.1 million Campaign to Create a Place for Everyone. "The vision for a new home for our programs began 7 years ago among our small Board of Directors. That was the first charge they gave me upon joining ONT," remembers Haight. "We never imagined the need would have grown as much as it has, but that has never deterred us. We dreamed this was possible and stayed committed to that vision. None of it would be possible without our entire community, without Greg, without those strong leaders who believe in investing in the food security of our neighbors."

Our Neighbors' Table extends a heartfelt thanks to Greg Jardis, Institution for Savings, J Charitable Endeavors, Amesbury Health Care Charitable Trust, The Edward S. & Winifred G. Moseley Foundation, The McDonagh Family Foundation, The Capolupo Family, Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank, The Peter & Margaret Kiely Charitable Fund, Murray Bailey, Frank Childs & Sally Delaney, J. Bennett & Company, and W.C. Cammett Engineering and to all those who gave so generously to build The Jardis-Taylor Center and the mission of Our Neighbors' Table.
YOU can join the SPOON PLATOON today! Read more...

Making your gift in honor of someone special? Your confirmation email will contain a note card you can print and give to them! A gift that keeps on giving!

Our Neighbors' Table has been granted $100,000 from the Cummings Foundation $100K for 100 grant program. "The selection process is highly competitive and rigorous. To receive this award is a testament to the hard work of the entire ONT community and the potential impact we can make on food insecurity in our region," says ONT's Executive Director Lyndsey Haight.

Funds from Cummings Foundation will support growth of ONT's grocery programs through 2018, including expanded programming at the market at The Jardis-Taylor Center and growing ONT's mobile market programs.

ONT was notified of the award by mail on Monday morning and will join the other 99 recipients for a formal celebration with Cummings Foundation trustees on June 8th.

ONT is incredibly grateful for Cummings' investment in our future and their understanding that all of our neighbors deserve food on their tables.

Betty Elliot, who began volunteering 15 years ago through her church, Pilgrim Congregational, couldn’t agree more. While she appreciates being able to guarantee a hot meal to those in need, she most enjoys seeing the familiar faces, especially the kids. Specifically, a little boy who attends regularly with his grandmother.
 
“His eyes light up when he sees all the cakes,” said Elliot, who often handles the dessert station. “His grandmother often says to him, ‘Aren’t we lucky to get such a good meal?’”
 
Our Neighbors’ Table is located in Amesbury but serves 12 surrounding towns. It began in 1992 with a spaghetti dinner attended by eight guests. Today, the organization provides a hot meal consisting of soup, a main entrée with side items, dessert and a to-go meal to anywhere between 100 and 150 guests each Wednesday evening.  Each table even has its own fresh-baked bread basket, thanks to a handful of regular Tuesday volunteers, and a dedicated server who brings drinks to order and second helpings.
 
“This is a restaurant-quality meal,” said Jim Miller, ONT’s meal manager.  “Tonight we’re serving steak tips, rice and stir-fry veggies and a shrimp and corn chowder. We’re really upping the quality of the food.”
 
A former chef and culinary professor, Miller took over the role a little over a year ago and enjoys lending his expertise to serve the greater good.
 
“If we rotated between meatloaf, roasted pork, baked fish and chicken, our guests would be happy,” Miller said. “But this isn’t a soup kitchen. We’re trying to get rid of the stigma and just provide an inviting place for folks to come and have a nice meal.”

On Saturday, May 13, local Post Offices will be participating in the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive to benefit area food pantries.  This food drive is a huge boost to each of the food pantries listed above, coming at a time when most of the food collected from the holiday season has run out, and the pantries are in great need of donations to restock their shelves for the spring and summer months.
 
The pantries are very grateful to the National Association of Letter Carriers for this very important drive, and are hoping that the public will donate as generously as possible to help them feed the individuals and families who come to them each day for assistance. Letter carriers will pick up food donations left at customers’ mailboxes on the morning of Saturday, May 13.
 
Most Needed Items
The pantries appreciate all donations of non-perishable food items and personal care products, but are particularly in need of the following:
 
Gluten-free foods, Peanut Butter, Canned Solid White Tuna, Canned Chicken, Baked Beans, Canned Meals (Ravioli, SpaghettiOs®, Beef Stew), Canned Fruit, Bottled Juice, Juice boxes, Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Cereal, Pasta, Boxed Pasta and Rice, Soup, Toothpaste, Shampoo, Deodorant, Diapers, baby wipes and feminine products.  (NOTE:  Glass jars sometimes break during this collection – consider plastic/canned options instead!)
 
Please help us by checking expiration/best buy dates on your donations.  Remember to only donate things that you would want to eat yourself!

If You Miss the Food Drive and Would Still Like to Donate
If you miss the food drive and would like to make a donation, please contact one of the pantries below for information about dropping off items directly.  Each of the pantries would be very grateful to accept your donations!
 
Did You Know?

• The food pantries listed above collectively serve residents in the following cities and towns:  Amesbury, South Hampton, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury, West Newbury, Groveland, Byfield, Boxford, Rowley and Georgetown.

• Currently, there are more than 6,000 people living in northeastern Essex County who are struggling with food insecurity. That’s 1 out of 16 people, 1 out of 8 children, and 1 out of 5 seniors. (Greater Boston Food Bank/feedingamerica.org)
• More than 3,000 individuals accessed food assistance from the local food pantries in 2016.

 Contact Information
Community Action, Inc., Amesbury:  Dianne Halloran, 44A Friend Street (978) 388-2570
www.communityactioninc.org
 
Community Services, Newburyport:  Betty Leary, 31 Green St (978) 465-7562
www.communityserviceofnewburyport.com
 
Our Neighbors’ Table, Amesbury/Merrimac:  Lori Townsend, 194 Main Street (978)388-1907 www.ourneighborstable.org
 
The Pettengill House, Inc., Salisbury:  Richard Henderson, 13 Lafayette Road (978) 463-8801 www.pettengillhouse.org/

We've kicked it off with a good start! So far we've raised over $30,000 toward our annual fund goal of $250,000. Local diners raised $10,000 through the Fill Your Neighbors' Plate campaign featured at 17 local restaurants! And more than 20 hosts opened their homes and raised more than $17,000 in the Table to Table campaign! This adds to the dollars raised through the Meet-up with Terry O'Reilly and the various events and drives organized by all of YOU!
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There's much to celebrate as we look over the last 25 years, the nearly 10,000 people who have received food from our programs, the estimated 5 million meals provided, and the hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours served. But the truth of the matter is, 2017 will mark a pivotal change in the growth of Our Neighbors' Table. The new market at the Jardis-Taylor Center means more people can access food here and that ONT can leverage its capacity to help communities across our service region ensure all of their members are food secure. For 25 years, every year has broken the record of meals and people set the year before. And this year will be no different. With your help - and ONLY with your help - every single person who comes to our door will be welcomed and will receive the food they need. For our 25th anniversary, we need to raise $250,000 to help us provide the anticipated 800,000 meals needed in our community. Make your anniversary gift today!

25 years of service is a lot to celebrate. Mark your calendar now for our upcoming special events and keep an eye out for emails and social media posts with the details.