Table Talk: Fall 2023

Our Plan To Keep All Of Our Neighbors Full

As most of us are taking a few moments to reflect with family and friends during the holidays, Our Neighbors' Table is getting excited for what's to come in 2024 and beyond. 
Imagine a region where everyone knows where their next meal is coming from?
Life is Better Full for all of us, and that's why ONT remains focused on our vision for a food secure region by 2029.
Last month at the Annual Breakfast, we unveiled the 3-year strategic plan that will continue to move us closer to our goal. 
Beginning in 2024, we will work to maximize the impact of the Seacoast Regional Food Hub by working collectively with public and private partners in our Food Security Advisory Group, as well as the front-line food providers within the 17 communities in the Lower Merrimack Valley Food Coalition, including our regional Seacoast Food Providers in the 12 towns we directly serve.

What will that look like? Our 3-year goals include:

• Broad education and training for communities to measure their STABLE TABLE®, the foundation of ONT's work.
• Shoring up the STABLE TABLE® pillars - local resources, public programs and community - in Salisbury, Newburyport and Merrimac.
• Mobilizing new partnerships in Georgetown, Newbury, Rowley, Groveland, Boxford and West Newbury.
• And strengthening ONT as a resilient learning organization equipped to coordinate this new transformation in food security service delivery.

One constant remains true – creating food secure communities takes the engagement and action of the entire community. We launched the conversation with you at the Hub on October 24. I look forward to the possibilities and real impact that each new conversation will unfold. Thank you for your steadfast commitment to food for all. 
Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season, 
Lyndsey Haight
Executive Director

Progress Happening Fast at Seacoast Regional Food Hub

We don't need to imagine much longer.
Since final permits were secured and the official groundbreaking for the Seacoast Regional Food Hub was held in August, much has been accomplished at 114 Bridge Road in Salisbury.
The construction team, led by Fishbone Project Management and  Artisan Building Group, Inc., immediately began demolition in the market area and reframed it for the market refrigerators and office.
In the warehouse, the floor preparation for the refrigeration units is complete and installation of the units has begun.
SPS Construction is leading the outside work for the Cross-Dock, excavating the area and filling it with more than 42 truckloads of concrete — all donated — to mitigate the water table.
By January 1, the loading dock ramps will be complete, the docks will be well underway, refrigeration and the freezer will be installed, and floors will be refinished!
Learn more about the project here.

Volunteer Spotlight: Mia Thurlow

Mia Thurlow, of West Newbury, found Our Neighbors' Table somewhat by chance when a friend recruited her to volunteer.
Mia worked several shifts in the market, but on her volunteer application she also mentioned she had expertise in graphic design -- several decades worth.
So when ONT had some graphic design needs, she found her volunteering niche. You may have seen her work on one of our beautiful holiday cards in recent years, painted by her, or in materials for our Seacoast Regional Food Hub capital campaign.
Mia is one of several individuals who donate their expert skills for ONT projects. They work behind the scenes, many of them serving on our board or committees that guide our work in areas like finance, governance, warehouse design and more.
We are currently recruiting new board members, and our needs are growing. If you are interested in sharing your expertise to help us create a food secure region, contact Executive Director Lyndsey Haight.

 Fill Your Neighbors' Plate at Local Businesses

Help us Fill Your Neighbor's Plate this holiday season! 
Through the end of the year, we are partnering with a number of local businesses to bring back our "Fill Your Neighbors' Plate" donation drive.
You will find our sign with QR codes at participating businesses like Ovedia that let you show your support for ONT with ease!
If you'd like to make a donation, scan the code with your cellphone camera to pull up your preferred mode of payment.
We are making this a friendly competition, so make sure to write your business in the comment section so they receive credit! Thank you to the local businesses for supporting this effort! If you are interested in participating, please email [email protected].

Support your Neighbors on Giving Tuesday

The holiday season is the busiest time of year at Our Neighbors' Table as we work to make sure everyone's plate is full. This only happens thanks to your support.
If you have considered giving in the past, or would like to donate again to support our efforts, Giving Tuesday on November 28 is a great time to do it.
Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
Every dollar of support pays for a meal for a neighbor in need!

dONATE HERE

Thanksgiving brings out record numbers

​This Thanksgiving was one for the record books at ONT.
In the week ahead of the holiday, we helped 1,237 households, including 619 children, make sure they had all the Thanksgiving items they needed. Each household received their choice of a turkey or two whole chickens, as well as a $25 gift card. In total, we distributed more than 69,000 pounds of food in one week!
At our Thanksgiving Community Meal, we served 346 meals, including 70 diners in person!
This only happens thanks to volunteer support! 
In total, 162 volunteers completed about 1,000 hours of service during Thanksgiving Distribution week. 

Join our team!

Do you have an interest in working with a small team doing big things?
We have two openings:
We are seeking a new Director of Finance and Human Resources in the new year.
The essence of this role is to be the key central leader that manages the finances and people process of the organization, with the support of our Accounting Staff and external HR Consultant.
We are also seeking a Development Operations Coordinator, who will handle
the office-based work of the development team, manage
the donor database, and ensure continued quality of donor operations and
constituent management. 
Join us and make an impact with your work every day!
Learn more about these positions here.

The Holidays are almost here!

It's another big month for ONT.
This year's Community Meal with Santa will be held Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 4-6pm, with takeout at the side door from 3-6pm.
ONT will have expanded hours and specialty holiday items this year.
A reminder, ONT is closed between Christmas and New Year's.
To make sure everyone is able to stock up, the Amesbury Market will be open:
Tuesday, Dec. 19, 11am-3pm
Wednesday, Dec. 20, 1:30-5pm
Thursday, Dec. 21, 10am-6pm
Friday, Dec. 22, 9am-5pm
Saturday, Dec. 23, 9am-1pm
And watch for our truck at the annual holiday parades in Amesbury and Merrimac!