The walk-in refrigerator and freezer walls are up, and now the real magic begins to keep them cool. Exterior refrigeration units are being installed, while a separate team works on the HVAC systems. These will ensure that the entire Annex maintains proper temperatures for food storage, no matter the weather outside.
Open Table partners with local organizations including Councils on Aging, faith groups, and towns, to help eliminate the barrier to food access often caused by limited transportation options in our suburban communities. Open Table drivers transport groceries and prepared meals to partner organizations or deliver directly to clients registered with our partners—taking food directly to those that cannot come to us.
Thanks to your support, we have provided healthy food to 8,474 individuals in our community over the past year. This includes local families, seniors, adults, and children—people who may very well be your neighbors or friends. Your generosity makes a tangible difference in their lives.
Over the past year, Aurelia’s Garden, Blue Meadow Farm, Drumlin Farm, The Food Project, Gaining Ground, Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Hutchins Farm, Scimone Farm, Stow Community Gardens, Traveling Cap Mushrooms, and Verrill Farm generously donated fresh fruits and vegetables to Open Table. We also receive in-season produce from school, faith groups, and other community gardens. These fresh, local items supplement our other sources, helping us provide nutritious, farm-fresh produce year-round to those in need.
The majority of Open Table’s financial support comes from generous individuals like you. Last year, 1,161 households and organizations contributed to our mission to fight hunger and support our community. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (EIN 04-3048933), your donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. With our Platinum rating from Candid (formerly Guidestar), you can trust in our commitment to transparency and accountability.
Open Table’s commercial kitchen produces delicious and nutritious prepared meals, thanks to the hard work of our chefs and volunteers. Over the past year, we created 80,362 meals, which were distributed to clients in various ways, including frozen meals for easy reheating, senior lunches, and lunch packs for our Fuel Up for Summer program. These meals play a vital role in ensuring our community has access to healthy meal options, especially for those with limited cooking facilities, skills, or time.
Open Table’s pantry service is open to those who reside in 21 cities and towns in the central Middlesex county area.
