Table Talk, Summer 2020

Meeting the Need Head-On
Lyndsey Haight, Executive Director
While COVID-19 has not directly affected the physical health of most residents in our region, the economic and emotional toll has been astounding. The average unemployment rate for our 12 cities and towns over April, May and June 2020 tops 14%, compared to 2.45% one year ago. Even at the height of the recession, local unemployment average for the region in 2010 was only 7.5%.
Families who were gainfully employed only 6 months ago now rely on stimulus checks, SNAP and programs like Our Neighbors’ Table. With your support, ONT has been able to meet the need head-on and has proudly supported our partners in school districts and councils on aging across the region in working creatively and collaboratively to get food to people every day. From January 1 to July 31, ONT’s grocery programs distributed 845,000 pounds of wholesome foods to 4214 people across the region (up 11% and 24% respectively over last year).
How can we keep up with this increase of demand? Because our community is committed to ensuring everyone’s basic needs are met, even in a global crisis. You are each proving the “Unity” in Community. In just the first 90 days following the shutdown, more than 900 new donors reached out to support ONT’s work. Collectively, as local businesses were struggling, individuals in every community stepped forward and contributed a record $300,000 to keep food on the table for ONT’s guests.
“Uncertainty” seems to be the guiding principle for the near future. But there are 2 things I know for certain: 1) As this crisis continues, need for food assistance will continue to increase; and 2) ONT and its supporters will be here to respond. September is Hunger Action Month. I ask you to continue your resolve, reach out to friends and neighbors who need help, support our efforts by raising awareness, hosting virtual food drives, and, when you can, making a donation. We will continue to win this fight as we work in unity to keep our neighbors food-secure.

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September is Hunger Action Month!

STAY CONNECTED

• Join ONT’s email list
• Follow ONT on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
• Watch a Hunger Action Month Facebook live

JOIN US

• Register for virtual Volunteer Orientation by filling out a Volunteer Application
• Purchase a ticket to the Annual Breakfast broadcast
• Make a donation
• Become a Breakfast Club member with a recurring donation

BRING YOUR FRIENDS

• Start a virtual food drive
• Host a virtual Table to Table event

Join us for the Annual Breakfast Broadcast!

Summer Lunch Program

For the last 10 years, ONT has worked to ensure that our region’s families continue to have access to nutritious foods even when school breaks for the summer. Never has the reliance on school meals been more apparent than it has been this year in the wake of COVID-19. Through June, all of the school districts in our area worked creatively to keep meals available to school children. But then what? ONT’s Summer Lunch Program continues to provide great breakfast, lunch and snack groceries to keep families’ kitchens stocked. To-date, ONT has already put more than 256,000 meals on the table for 1,062 children, including almost 46,000 meals just since July 1. Families are shopping through our online markets each week, picking out fresh fruits, cereal, snacks, and fixings for sandwiches. ONT is on track to save these families a total of $150,000 in food costs this summer!

First-Time Guest Quote

"We never imagined we would be in a position to need your help. My husband got laid off [shortly before COVID with no severance]. We have yet to receive an unemployment check. [All of his] interviews [were put on hold indefinitely] the week this craziness hit. We are finding paying our mortgage and COBRA at the same time is killing us. When we were told you could help it was like a gift from God. I have always admired your organization. I admire it on a whole new level now. Thank you for all you do, and continue to do, to help us and all in the communities you serve, especially during this crazy time. We are truly looking at this as the beginning of a relationship with ONT that we will pay back when we are able." 
--ONT First-time Guest  ​

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Volunteer Spotlight - Eve Lee

​Eve Lee was not familiar with Our Neighbors’ Table when she was invited by a friend to attend ONT’s Annual Breakfast in October of 2016. “I saw all of the amazing things happening at this impactful organization and the amazing people that were involved and I was hooked,” Eve said of her first breakfast experience. She started volunteering in the Market a couple of Saturdays a month, which accommodated her travel schedule for her job in marketing at a medical device company. Soon Eve found herself on the fundraising committee, where she chaired and created ONT’s Fill ‘Em Up Fest.  After joining the board in 2018, she started her term as board chair in June of this year. But her weekly volunteering in the Market remains a priority for her. Read more about Eve in this month's Volunteer Spotlight!

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