Common Table Neighbors

A year of full tables and brave readers

“I like the hard books now.”

Before

Mayaa third grader in our homework club

In the fall, Maya kept her reading book under her desk.

She knew the words were in there.

They just would not hold still.

So she made sure nobody ever called on her.

With Common Table Neighbors

Twice a week after school, she sat down at the Common Table homework club with her tutor, Ms. Grace.

After

By spring she was reading chapter books.

Now she reads to her little brother every night.

“I like the hard books now.”

Before

Marcusour Saturday van driver

Two winters ago, Marcus came to our pantry for the first time.

He had lost his job in November.

He did not want anyone to see him in line.

With Common Table Neighbors

A volunteer named Rosa handed him a box and asked if he could drive.

After

He has driven the van every Saturday since.

He knows every family on his route by name.

“Somebody showed up for me. Now I get to be the one who shows up.”

The year in numbers

• 186,000meals shared
• 212kids in homework clubTwice a week, every week
• 87%moved up a reading levelMeasured each spring
• 340volunteers

Our year

1. FebOpened our second pantry site
2. MayFirst family supper night
3. SepHomework club grew to 212 kids
4. NovThe second van hit the road

In their words

“Our families get a box of food and a warm hello. The hello matters as much as the box.”

“Teachers can tell which kids go to homework club. They come in ready.”

“Every Saturday I see the same van and the same smile. It makes the week.”

Where the money went

$679,000 put to work

• Food for families 59%, $402,000186,000 meals, stocked every week
• Homework club 22%, $148,000212 kids, tutors and snacks twice a week
• Vans and delivery 10%, $71,000Two vans and Saturday home deliveries
• Operations 9%, $58,000Keeping the lights on at two sites

Where it came from

• Individual donors$312,000
• Grants$268,000
• Local businesses$94,000
• Events$41,000

Made possible by

• The Alvarez Family
• Jordan and Sam Okafor
• Riverside Credit Union Lead sponsor
• The Lindqvist Fund Lead sponsor
• Priya Raman
• Marcus and Tia Bell
• Harbor Street Books
• The Nakamura Family

and everyone who gave to Common Table Neighbors this year