Martha's Table

Martha's Table (founded in 1980) is a non-profit organization, an active charity and volunteer center in the Washington, D.C., area.

History

Martha's Table started in 1980 as a safe place for children to receive free sandwiches and food after school. The organization was named after the Martha of The Bible, a follower and friend of Jesus. While Martha's Table is not a religiously based organization, the founders Veronica Maz, a social worker, and Father Horace McKenna, a Jesuit Priest, chose the name "Martha’s Table" to represent the dignity of the one who serves.

Martha's Table gradually grew to address the additional needs of the community through its onsite early childhood education programs and expanded food distribution programs.

Veronica Maz (1980–1987)

Veronica Maz served as the first president and CEO of Martha's Table. Maz was a sociology professor at Georgetown when she began working with Jesuit priest Horace B. McKenna in an attempt to turn concerns about poverty in the District into action.

Veronica Parke (1987–2004)

Maz was succeeded Veronica Parke. Under Parke the programs at Martha's Table expanded to serve children along the entire age spectrum, from 3 months to 18 years. The children's program expanded into three areas: a daily program for preschoolers and their mothers; daily provision of breakfast, lunch, and snacks; education and play activities for children both during the school year and summer vacation, as well as activities on weekends.

Lindsey Buss (2004–2012)

Lindsey Buss succeeded Parke in 2004.

Patty Stonesifer (2013–2022)

In April 2013, Martha's Table hired the former CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Patty Stonesifer, as the new President and CEO.

Tiffany Williams (2022–present)

In December 2022, Martha's Table announced that Tiffany Williams would be appointed as the new President and CEO.

Programs

Food

McKenna's Wagon

McKenna's Wagon, the organization's mobile food truck, runs 365 days a year to help feed the District's homeless and hungry population. The Wagon is named after the founder of Martha's Table, Horace McKenna. Volunteers stop at locations around the D.C. metro area and serve hot meals, sandwiches, homemade muffins, fresh fruit and refreshments.

Education

Early Child Education

Martha's Table is a nationally accredited Child Development Center. It is a fully bilingual program for children ages 3 months to 3 years. The center explores a "Learn through Play" approach with its infants, toddlers and preschoolers. T

Elementary to Career Program (5–13 years)

Nationally accredited through the National After-School Association, the after-school programs for younger children offers students a range of academic and enrichment opportunities, including tutoring, homework assistance, and developing literacy and math skills.

Opportunity

Martha's Outfitters

Martha's Outfitters is a second-hand thrift store that originally started in 2004 as a clothes closet. The store serves roughly 50,000 customers a year, generating more $425,000 in revenue. Revenue from purchases are dedicated to the education, food and clothing programs. Martha's Outfitters also offers a free clothing distribution program to clients referred by one of the 100 agency partners throughout the Washington, D.C., area, allowing them access to free casual and work clothing, interview attire, housewares, and linens.

Recognition

Martha's Table has been granted accreditation status through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for their Child Development Center.

Charity Navigator gave Martha's Table a four-star rating in 2017.

References

External links

*

Bush Speaks at Martha's Table
CNN. December 20, 2001.
* {{cite web , url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2013/10/15/president-obama-visits-martha-s-table-thank-furloughed-workers , work= whitehouse.gov , title=President Obama Visits Martha's Table to Thank Furloughed Workers , via=National Archives , date=October 15, 2013

Charities based in Washington, D.C.
Educational charities based in the United States
Food banks in the United States