Martha’s Table

This is how wholistic community development should be done.
Be SURE to sign up for volunteer shifts in the kitchen, food truck, and/​or clothing store — everything online, including a very helpful calendar view.
The staff here are so passionate, friendly, and welcoming.
It just so happened that when I was working a shift in the kitchen, PRESIDENT OBAMA decided to come lend a hand! He and the family have visited on multiple occasions so you know this place gets the presidential stamp of approval.

My Martha’s Table volunteer experience was so wonderful that I’ve already signed up for my second shift! From start to finish, my four hour shift was smooth and seamless.
1. Registration — Their calendar is easy to read and has well-​written descriptions of every type of shifts available. Sign up was easy and painless and they sent me an automatic reminder the day of the shift.
2. Signing In — Taj the volunteer coordinator took the time to welcome me and explain the Martha’s Table story and what I would be doing that afternoon. He was funny, helpful and very warm. Even though it was my first day volunteering, I already felt like I was part of the team!
3. The Actual Nitty Gritty — I worked in their Lobby Market which is basically the food pantry based out of their headquarters. It was stocked with canned meat, vegetables, pasta, cereal, rice, milk, orange juice, and lots of fresh veggies that included collard greens, apples, bananas, cabbage, sweet potatoes and more. My job was to take in customers and help them sort through the groceries and make sure that everything was weighed and counted properly. It was like being a grocery store clerk except no money was exchanged.
I met all types of people that afternoon. Young and old and every age in between, American or not, single, families, students, etc. My brief stint was a real eye opener that just a block away from all of the bars and restaurants and bars of the 14^th Street Corridor are people who need access to fresh and healthy food. On a side note, as someone who loves the aesthetics, I was really happy to see that they arranged the fresh produce is pretty baskets and made sure to keep the pantry clean and happy looking as possible. As one other volunteer said half jokingly, we want them to have the total experience.
When things got slow, I was pulled into the kitchen to help bake fresh muffins to go out with their food deliveries. I never felt like I was not useful.
4. The Aftermath — I’ve signed up for my second shift and already looking for other ways I can help!