Open Table was founded in 1989 to provide weekly nutritious meals and a food pantry to anyone who wanted them -- no questions asked. Our purpose is to address the hunger that exists in our area and to do this in a manner that respects the privacy and dignity of any guests and provides them a few moments of respite from their daily challenges. We serve anyone who comes. We are a 100% volunteer organization. We receive funding from Concord Carlisle Community Chest, Crop Walk, faith groups, local businesses and individuals.

The founders of Open Table were people who participated in Crop Walk. They performed research and modeled Open Table on Acton's Community Supper. We hear a variety of reactions to our existence, from "Really? People are hungry in Concord?" to "I'd like to volunteer" and unfortunately we also hear from some who question whether Open Table is necessary.

Yes, despite our improved economy, people are still really going hungry in Concord. Our guests include the elderly, single parents, people on disability who are currently unable to work, the homeless and those struggling to make ends meet due to an unforeseen crisis. Many of our guests are employed, yet are having difficulty making ends meet. Our guests need help and are finding ways to bridge financial gaps. They are looking for viable ways to feed their children.

The working poor, a key element of Open Table's population, are caught in the middle. They are too well off for public assistance but not well off enough to make it on their own. Second Harvest, the nation's largest network of food charities, found that 60% of the 21 million recipients of Second Harvest food in 1997 said they had sought handouts because of a chronic food gap. Nearly 40% of the households had at least one person employed. Food is the first thing to go in a crisis.

To add to the understanding of the financial difficulties the working poor face, according to Project Bread, 8.1% of Massachusetts residents do not have health insurance. 61% of these adults are employed. According to the Department of Transitional Assistance, 56% of households receiving foodstamps are "non public assistance," which means that they receive no cash advances from Massachusetts.

78% of Open Table's guests attend every week or most weeks. 27% of our guests said that they would be hungry almost every day without our services. 42% use community suppers or food pantries in other towns.

Unlike other community suppers, we ask no questions and welcome all who attend. There are no eligibility requirements; if you need our services, you are welcome.

As we volunteer, we are all aware of how quickly our lives could change so that any of us could become in need of these services. Although we ask no questions of our guests, we get to know their stories. We had one couple where the husband and wife both worked for a company that downsized. She had to retire early, with a pension significantly smaller than anticipated. Her husband kept his job, but later required surgery, placing him on disability. Their joint income, was $10 too high for foodstamps. Open Table helped them bridge a gap during a difficult transition.

We have several guests on fixed incomes. This was sufficient to provide a comfortable income when they retired but is inadequate today. Open Table provides them with both social interaction and groceries to get them through the week.

Open Table is here to bridge the gap and provide food where it is most needed. With your generous support, we have provided meals, warmth and a hand for ten years.

Note: Open Table serves dinner at the First Parish in Concord on Lexington Road every Thursday at 5:30 PM; all are welcome. They can be reached at P.O. Box 42 Concord, MA 01742 or (978) 369-2275. There is also a barrel for your food donations at Crosby's Market. Open Table is always looking for donations, volunteers and particularly for people to become members of their board, which is a time commitment of 2-5 hours per week.