OUR NEIGHBORS' TABLE
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Mission Statement
We know hunger comes in many forms. Our Neighbors’ Table is committed to establishing a community that provides for the whole person with nourishing food, kindness and dignity.
About This Cause
Our Neighbors’ Table is the first organization in the nation to declare a food secure community. Using its STABLE TABLE model, ONT takes a comprehensive approach to mobilize and harness a community’s goal of universal food access to breakdown stigma and cultural barriers, build strong, sustainable networks of free food, and maximize use of and availability of public programs that support nutrition at all ages. What started in 1992 as a small group of motivated individuals to feed a dozen of their neighbors has now evolved into growing movement reaching thousands of individuals and families in 12 cities and towns, with a bold quest for a food-secure region by 2029. Programs: Our Neighbors' Table's innovative approach to food assistance is aimed at providing flexible, personalized programs to individuals and families. ONT’s chain of free grocery stores, our “Markets” offer fresh, wholesome food when and where our neighbors need it, including stocking extra kid-friendly products for school breaks and festive options for the holidays. ONT Markets currently offer both in-person and online shopping for safe, convenient and reliable service. ONT’s SNAP Clinic puts money in our neighbors’ pockets so they can buy groceries at local commercial grocery stores. ONT’s Wednesday Dinner is a community staple welcoming people with a free, 3-course dinner. ONT is never more than a phone call away, offering 24/7 guest support whenever a crisis may arise. Collaborations: In addition to its direct distribution programs, ONT convenes the Seacoast Food Providers, a network of six food pantries, and more than eight meal programs distributing food across our region. Since 2011, the Seacoast Food Providers have worked closely to strengthen the availability of food to everyone who needs it and ensure adequate, nutritious food to support healthy living among all our community members. In 2019, ONT and the Seacoast Food Providers supplied 1.5 million meals to neighbors who would otherwise be hungry. Recognizing that universal, reliable food access requires leadership and the commitment of an entire community, ONT’s regional Food Security Advisory Group (FSAG) brings together mayors, town managers, superintendents, school nurses, social service agencies, and our community hospital and pediatricians to make food security a systemic priority. Since 2017, the FSAG has implemented regional needs assessments, launched school-based farmers markets and staff training, and implemented universal food insecurity screening and referral in the region’s largest pediatric practice. Through its collaborative bodies, the Food Security Advisory Group, and the Seacoast Food Providers, ONT provides cross-sector coordination, education and training on food insecurity to stakeholders in our community such as local school districts, Mayors and town managers. Our goal is to identify those not being served, better understand persistent barriers to food access, and collectively work to eliminate those barriers. ONT partners with Children’s Health Care, the region’s largest pediatric practice, to train and equip CHC staff and practitioners with the tools they need to identify and support their patients who are experiencing food insecurity. Our model is at the forefront of national work, drawing on the most effective strategy: a Food Resource Advocate to provide personal and compassionate support as a family enters the web of support services. The FRA is an expert on the various food programs available that works to connect our guests with SNAP as well as other resources to meet their needs. Past Achievements: Our biggest achievement to-date was declaring the city of Amesbury Food Secure in 2018. This milestone was the result of years of community education, engagement and mobilization and has set the stage for replicating this success across the region. Our potential to expand food security was boosted by the 2016 opening of the Jardis-Taylor Center in Amesbury, which houses a large warehouse with coolers for fresh foods, a bright, welcoming “market” for guests to access groceries, and ONT’s main offices. The impact of this new facility far exceeded all expectations and has now served as a model for many of our peer organizations who are re-shaping food assistance across the Commonwealth. ONT continues to be a pioneer in the emergency food network by opening a centralized food-hub in 2022 that will be shared storage space amongst all partners in the Seacoast Food Providers. This collaborative approach is serving as a best-practice model across the Commonwealth.