The United Way of Noble County, in partnership with Kendallville Mayor Suzanne Handshoe, and a dynamic group of community partners, launched the Community Table initiative in March of 2009 to respond to the economic crisis and create something positive during a time of ever-growing community needs.

Specifically, this group of concerned citizens, non-profit agencies and churches came together to form a unique collaboration – the Community Table – in an effort to help people in a broad and enterprising way. 

Operating through funding made available through a grant from the Indiana Association of United Ways, the Community Table has assessed and identified specific, urgent needs within the community that were not being met effectively, and developed a solid, sustainable plan to address these needs, giving people the opportunity for a “hand up,” without losing their dignity in the process.

Needs such as food, utility and rental assistance, training and new job skills for the recently unemployed, access to resources such as available tax credits, unemployment benefits, affordable health care, and much more.

The group currently serves three hot meals a week – one in Ligonier and two in Kendallville – with the hopes of expanding to other corners of Noble County.

According to United Way Executive Director, Kristen Johnson, “These meals are being prepared with love and care, and are not just for the downtrodden.  They are open to anyone who feels compelled to come and eat with us, to share in fun and fellowship in a warm and friendly environment.  Anyone who comes to eat is welcome to help out in the kitchen, and anyone who volunteers to help will be expected to sit down and eat.  We don’t want to draw a line on who is welcome…the table is set, and the door is open to all.”  

But it’s not just about food.  In addition to providing regular meals, the Community Table will be providing information at each meal on various resources that are available to the public, including utility and rent/mortgage assistance, affordable healthcare, and much more.  “Many individuals who have never been unemployed before do not know where to go or who to call for assistance…or even what programs or assistance may be available to them,” says Johnson.  “We want to provide answers to their questions, and if we can’t help them, we want to refer them to someone who can.”

There are also activities available for children, so that they have something fun to do while their parents are learning about the programs available.

Another resource the group is offering to people is help filing for their Earned Income Tax Credit.  Community Table received a donation from the Noble County Technology Fund to purchase two laptop computers to help with this sort of outreach.  According to a recent study, around 25% of eligible Hoosiers do not know about or file for the credit, which can be anywhere from $400 to $4,000 for individuals and families who qualify. 

The group also recently started what they are calling the “sharing table” at each Community Table event.  The purpose of the sharing table is to provide an additional level of support to those in need, and also to give the community a chance to help in some way, even if they cannot help financially.  Several people have contacted the Community Table about donating home baked bread or cookies, produce from their gardens, or other items.  Unfortunately, due to health code regulations, the Community Table group cannot serve these items to the public.  They can, however, have a table available for people to bring these items to share with others in the community.  Thus, the sharing table was born.

Following is a list of items that will be accepted at the sharing table: non-perishable foods, toiletries and hygiene products, diapers/wipes/baby food, home-baked goods, or produce from your garden.  Following is a list of items that will not be accepted:  used toys/clothing/books, opened containers of food, medications, alcohol or tobacco products. (Due to limited storage, donations of other items not listed above will not be accepted.)

Eventually, the group would like to take the Community Table one step further and provide a sort of “case management” approach to helping those people who are looking for resources and additional help.  “We have a strong plan in place, and a long-term vision of what this will look like.  We have several committees in place to coordinate volunteers, meal logistics, marketing and fundraising.  We want to be sure that we can be viable and self-sustaining for as long as the need is here in our community,” says Handshoe. 

Anyone who would like to make a donation to the Community Table may do so by contacting the United Way of Noble County at (260) 636-8929, or via the United Way website at www.uwnoble.org.

If you are unable to help financially, but would like to help out in some way, please consider volunteering your time, talents and treasures.  Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve meals, help with tax preparations, marketing and fundraising, coordinating food drives, and more.