Background:  In 1992, when the Hunger Task Force of Boulder County determined that a hot meal program was needed for lower income families and seniors the idea for Community Table was born.  Over the next few years a dedicated board of directors and the Interfaith Council of Boulder focused on securing a central location in Boulder with a kitchen and dining facilities.  In 1996, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) graciously offered their space to serve a meal three nights per week all year around.

In 2002 thanks to the help of Mountain View Methodist Church Community Table was able to open for a fourth night.  Since January 1997, Community Table has been providing warm meals to people in need in Boulder.   Our guests are a diverse group of seniors struggling to remain in their homes, families finding it difficult to make ends meet, and those in search of their next meal.  Our guests rely on Community Table as a safe, dignified place where they are served a warm meal in a safe, dignified and caring environment. In early 1997, Community Table was serving a handful of guests each night and that number has steadily grown.  

Present:  Last year at this time, Community Table was serving between 40 to 50 guests per night.    In 2006, the Boulder Change Organization was folded into the Community Table organization and since then three $1 vouchers are handed out four nights a week to each guest to provide them with a means to purchase food items, gasoline other personal needs over the weekend.   Since then, the numbers of guests that appear at Community Table each night have multiplied.    Community Table serves around 120 guests per night at present and this is creating a larger need for volunteer help from Mount Calvary and the surrounding faith-based community.

The first Monday of each month, Mount Calvary's volunteers donate their time and energy to set up, prepare food, serve, and cleanup the fellowship hall of First Christian Church so that the needs of these guests are met for one more night.     Mount Calvary splits its volunteer corps into two shifts.  The first shift starts at 3:45 and takes care of the fellowship hall setup including table setup, chair setup, silverware prep, food prep, etc.  The serving of the meal begins around 5:00pm, and the 2nd shift arrives around that time.   Both the first shift and second shift volunteers assist with the serving and the cleanup phase follows immediately.   The second shift takes over as the bulk of the guests have been fed.   The second shift then concentrates on the dishwashing, sanitizing, drying and cleanup of the dining area.   Typically we are done by 7:00 each night.

Need:   With the increased number of guests dining at Community Table each night, it has become apparent that Mount Calvary needs to beef up its volunteer effort to continue to support this important ministry to the local community.    We now wish to staff our volunteer lists with a minimum of 6 people for the early 3:45pm shift and 10 people for the later 5:00 shift.    Mount Calvary will adjust the sign-up sheets to indicate the minimum number of volunteers needed.    Please consider joining us by signing up.   It's easy.  It's fun.  It's making a contribution to our local community.

2nd Need:   Did you know that Mount Calvary has a Salad Fund Jar that you can place cash donations in?   The funds collected in this jar allow Mount Calvary to buy fresh vegetables to make a salad on our night of service at Community Table.    We always hear great comments about our salads, and many of the other groups do not provide this extra special touch on their nights.     Let's keep this tradition going.    Currently the Salad Fund needs around $40 per month to cover our costs.    When we end up short, members of the volunteer team donate the difference.  Please consider donating to our Salad Fund to help us keep this important ministry strong.