Fighting Food Insecurity with Our Neighbors’ Table
Beau’s good friend, Mason, celebrated his 8th birthday this past weekend and asked for donations to Our Neighbors’ Table in lieu of gifts—so, of course, Beau and the LeMay Family Goodworks team were excited to join! Mason was inspired after Beau requested donations to the Blue Ocean Society for his own birthday party in January. Way to keep the kindness going, Mason!
Mason and his friends had a blast playing ALL the games at Joe’s Playland and enjoying tasty beach pizza, cake, and ice cream. Everyone was excited to give back to Our Neighbors’ Table, which offers unique grocery programs to combat food insecurity in Northeastern Essex County. LeMay Family Goodworks will also be donating in honor of Mason’s birthday!
Learn more about Our Neighbors’ Table’s mission and how you can help below.
About Our Neighbors’ Table
Our Neighbors’ Table (ONT) states they are “committed to establishing a community that provides for the whole person with nourishing food, kindness, and dignity.” The Massachusetts nonprofit aims to make Northeastern Essex County a food-secure region by offering fresh, high-quality food through innovative, people-centric programs.
And this is no small feat—ONT reports that 1 out of every 16 people in the region face hunger.
ONT believes that hunger comes in many forms. They fight food insecurity differently, eliminating barriers such as strict schedules, complicated qualification requirements, and limited food selection. ONT groceries are available to residents of Amesbury, Boxford, Byfield, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, West Newbury, and South Hampton (NH).
The Markets at Our Neighbors’ Table
Registered residents of one of the 12 communities listed above can easily shop for groceries at the ONT Market closest to them. Best of all, there is no income verification or requirement.
The Markets offer a pleasant, modern shopping experience with an abundance of fresh vegetables, fruit, dairy, meats, and more, all free. While there are six Market locations, several are offering curbside pickup only. Certain Markets also serve their immediate community. If you need food, register and learn more today.
Delivery Services
ONT also provides delivery services for home-bound individuals in Amesbury, Groveland, Merrimac, Newburyport, or Salisbury in coordination with the local Councils on Aging. Those needing grocery and meal delivery services should contact their local Council on Aging.
Find details and Council of Aging contact info here.
Community Meals
ONT volunteers make weekly hot meals. Everyone can come between 4-6 p.m. every Wednesday—no income requirements, geographic limitations, or pre-registration required! Due to COVID-19, meals are currently only available for takeout.
Each meal includes three courses, with a soup or salad, a hot entrée, and dessert. Vegetarian options are also available. Learn more about the weekly Community Meals.
Holiday Programs
Every holiday season, ONT provides special holiday groceries at their Markets on a particular distribution schedule. From Thanksgiving turkeys and sides to Christmas and Easter necessities, guests can find everything they need for the holidays.
Additionally, ONT hosts holiday festivities during select Community Meals featuring the Easter Bunny, Halloween costumes, and even a visit from Santa Claus. Get details on their holiday offerings.
SNAP
As a SNAP Outreach Partner, the ONT staff can help Massachusetts residents apply for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Their team can help with:
SNAP applications
Questions about qualifications
SNAP benefits recertification
Questions on open SNAP cases
Reach out for more SNAP information and guidance.
How to Support Our Neighbors’ Table
Now more than ever, it’s crucial to continue helping our neighbors in need—ONT saw a 67% increase in new household registrations in 2022, thanks to inflation. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities for individuals and organizations to help ONT fight food insecurity across Northeastern Essex County!
Not to mention, ONT states that every dollar given provides one meal to a neighbor! Discover the many ways to donate. For example, LeMay Family Goodworks previously supported ONT as a Breakfast Club member, their recurring donation program.
If you’d like to give hands-on help, you can volunteer at the Markets or Community Meals. There are many volunteer opportunities, from office support to stocking shelves to cooking dinners!
ONT also accepts food donations, so consider hosting a food drive! This is a great way for families and groups of all ages to give back. ONT’s stock often runs low in July and August, so you could even organize a collection in the summer! Check out food donation details and their most-needed items.
Would your team like to do good together? Schedule a group volunteer opportunity volunteering at one of the Markets or serving dinner at a Community Meal. Learn more about group sponsorship and volunteering.
However you give back, you’ll make a difference by helping bring food security to this Massachusetts region.
To learn more about Our Neighbors’ Table and keep up with their latest efforts, follow them on Instagram @rneighborstable or Facebook!