Donations run thin for Community Table

Time and money are on the minds of a non-profit dedicated to feeding thousands of people every year. The Community Table says an increase in guests and dwindling donations have them reaching out for help.

“Unfortunately over the past few years, donations have been lower than expenses. As that happens, we have dipped down and depleted our reserves and we are kind of in crisis mode,” Community Table board president Ben Franko said.

Franko says the annual operating budget is $300,000 a year. That boils down to $15,000 a month.

“The money really goes into the cost of keeping the facility open and running along. The food is largely donated or acquired at a lower cost,” Franko explained.

While the Community Table receives support from grant money and in-kind food donations, they still rely on donations to serve more than 40,000 people a year. Donation shortfalls are nothing new for the nonprofit that has seen numbers coming in lower in recent years. In order to make up the difference, they've had to dip into their reserves. Now that savings is running low. Franko says if nothing changes, the board will have to strongly consider cutting back on the days the Community Table is open.

“If we had to cut, we might look at cutting some of those meal days. Instead of seven days, we might go down to five or four,” Franko said.

The thought of cutting days leaves volunteers like Karen Edelman worried about those who rely on the food to keep them fed through the week.

“I think that's going to be a loss if days are cut. People are food insecure in this community,” Edelman added.

Tax deductible donations can be made to the Community Table by sending them a check or