Table of Hope, located in Morristown, New Jersey, was founded in 2011 in the wake of Hurricane Irene. It emerged from a powerful community response. What began as an effort to rebuild after devastation quickly grew into a commitment to reimagine how communities support families facing economic, educational, and social challenges.
Today, Table of Hope stands as a beacon of resilience and compassion within Morris County. At its core, the organization reflects the strength of collective action. Neighbors helping neighbors. Volunteers stepping in where help is needed. The belief that every individual deserves dignity and care.
During my volunteer experience, I joined a team focused on one of the most essential acts of service: preparing meals.
Together, we packed to-go lunches for individuals experiencing homelessness, assembling each bag with food that would nourish someone facing uncertainty. After packing, we helped distribute the lunches by handing them directly to members of the community who rely on these meals.
There is something profoundly humbling about this kind of work. Every sandwich, snack, and drink represents something much bigger — a moment of care, a reminder that someone is thinking about you, and reassurance that you are not alone.
I loved the sense of community solidarity that filled the room. Volunteers worked side by side, sharing stories, laughter, and a shared purpose. There was no sense of hierarchy. Just people coming together to support others.
Table of Hope embodies a spirit of collective upliftment, where diversity is celebrated and every individual is valued. The organization doesn’t just provide resources. It creates a welcoming environment where compassion becomes action.
As I reflect on this experience, I’m reminded that many of the most impactful forms of service are also the simplest.
Providing food is one of the most basic ways to care for others, yet it remains one of the most powerful.
Organizations like Table of Hope remind us that resilience means building stronger systems of support so communities can thrive. Volunteering here reinforced something I’ve learned time and again throughout my #52WeeksOfCharity journey:
Sometimes hope is built one lunch at a time, and sometimes the smallest acts of kindness carry the greatest impact.
Loving Actively through Hospitality and Compassion
Concrete beds in cardboard houses line the city sidewalks. Tattered blankets, fast food remnants, The smell of rusty, wet scaffolding. Black plastic trash bags hold all the Universe. Watching with heavy eyes through subway grate steam until the suffocation of invisibility settles in. They turn away from the lights of the street, turn their backs on the world and endure a restless sleep.
Cardboard cabins built by the homeless on 37th. The residents will remove them each morning and rebuild them each night.
Each night, thousands of unsheltered homeless sleep on the streets of NYC and over 65,000 sleep in city shelters.1 Often, homelessness is accepted as a ubiquitous and expected background of daily life in the city, just like taxi cabs and neon signs. Encounters with panhandling and outbursts from mental illness make homelessness and poverty visible and uncomfortable – something evoking fear.
The Bowery Mission steps directly and unquestioningly into this, fiercely bringing their core value of “Love Actively” to life. Since 1872 this organization has exemplified love as action through compassionate care – offering free meals, clothing, showers, and a place to sleep for anyone in need of hospitality.
From humble beginnings in a small wooden building, to multiple sites in New York City helping those in need, The Bowery Mission served over 250,000 meals, provided over 55,000 nights of shelter, and over 20,000 articles of clothing in 20222. Sweat equity that builds relationships and restores communities.
In addition to these emergency services, they offer residential and transitional programs such as long-term residential support, psychological counseling, addiction recovery, educational and life classes, vocational mentoring, job training, certification programs and more.
I had volunteered at both their Bowery and Tribeca campuses, helping serve meals to those in need. This particular morning we were serving a hot breakfast with eggs, bacon, French toast, fruit, pastry, and coffee, to both the residents in the Bowery program and hundreds of homeless who came regularly to get a solid meal.
Clients in their programs come from all walks of life and are all ages. They all have a common denominator – life’s circumstances brought them to very hard times. Some lost jobs and were unable to find new ones so were evicted, some battle alcoholism and drug addiction, some left abusive family situations, some battle mental illness. There are many stories of trauma and pain. The Bowery Mission promotes the flourishing of New Yorkers by helping work through that trauma and pain and overcoming homelessness and marginalization. Their programs care for the whole person – body, mind and spirit.
While serving breakfast we were able to speak and connect with the people who had come for a hot meal. One client told me the Bowery team members and I were the first people to have a conversation with them in over 24 hours. On the streets, they said, “…no one looks us in the eye or speaks to us.” Another client told me they look forward to regular breakfast meals at The Bowery because… “It’s nice to know there’s someone who loves me.”
Building bridges through hospitality and compassion means the world becomes a little less brutal for the clients for that moment, and by getting to work with the homeless and build human relationships, I live with a little less fear because they are less invisible and unknown.
Meanwhile, millions of people face hunger and malnutrition daily. This stark contrast highlights the urgent need for creative solutions to bridge the gap between surplus and scarcity.
Into this void steps Rescuing Leftover Cuisine (RLC), a non-profit organization in New York City founded in 2013. Their model involves rescuing surplus food from the end of the supply chain and delivering it to supply local homeless shelters and food pantries.
The end of the food supply chain is a critical point where unsold but perfectly edible food from supermarkets, restaurants and other retail outlets is discarded due to factors such as overproduction, cosmetic imperfections, or approaching expiration dates. In a world grappling with the dual challenges of food waste and hunger, wasting such perfectly good food means economic and nutritional losses for all stakeholders in the chain – from the buyers and sellers, to consumers, to most vulnerable in our communities (the needy and poor).
RLC operates on a volunteer-driven model that effectively connects food donors with local shelters and food pantries. The organization has developed a streamlined process where volunteers (which they call “Rescuers”) systematically collect surplus food from partnering businesses and restaurants throughout NYC, and transport it to nearby shelters and pantries, ensuring quick and efficient distribution.
This remarkable initiative has been gaining momentum! Rescuing Leftover Cuisine’s success in NYC has led to the organization expanding its operations to other cities across the United States. They also offer guidance to other organizations who want to focus on food recovery and redistribution. By creating a model that is scalable and replicable, RLC is contributing to a nationwide movement to combat food waste and hunger.
Volunteering:
I volunteered during a shift in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Myself and two other volunteers met at Proper Food (between Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center).
We met in the mid-afternoon, after the lunch rush and before dinner. The RLC team lead brought wheeled carts for transporting the food.
We picked up just under 60 pounds of food and delivered it to a local shelter in Midtown.
When we arrived at the business, the workers had properly wrapped up all the individual means and neatly placed them into the refrigerators. We picked them out and put them into our carts for transportation.
We were not taking them far so we did not have to refrigerate them for the trip. That is one of the tenants of RLC – they try to pair donation businesses with nearby shelters and food banks so the food is delivered quickly and efficiently.
On this afternoon we picked up a wide array of salads, sandwiches, drinks and even some desserts.
Examples of some of the meals we picked up during our volunteer shift
The receiving organization, in this case a shelter, was eagerly awaiting our delivery so they could distribute the foods to their clients in the upcoming meal session.
This model allows local volunteers to get involved in helping reduce waste as well as providing an avenue for assisting vulnerable populations in their community. It is a wonderful way to get involved!
Some of the donated foodThe shelter drop-offMore donations
Benefits of Food Rescue Initiatives:
Reducing Food Waste: By intercepting surplus food at the end of the supply chain, food rescue programs help minimize waste, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly food system.
Alleviating Hunger: Redirecting rescued food to local shelters and pantries provides immediate relief to individuals and families facing food insecurity. It ensures that nutritious meals are made available to those who might otherwise go without.
Community Engagement and Impact: Food rescue initiatives foster a sense of community by bringing together volunteers, businesses, and organizations to work towards a common goal. This collaborative effort creates a positive impact that extends beyond the dinner table. The organization raises awareness about food waste and hunger, inspiring more individuals and businesses to join the cause. The sense of purpose and unity created by RLC’s work reverberates throughout the community, sparking a collective effort to address these critical issues.
Economic Benefits: Donating surplus food can also have economic advantages for businesses. In some regions, tax incentives or liability protections are offered to encourage food donations, making it a win-win situation for both donors and recipients.
While food rescue initiatives have proven successful, challenges remain. These include logistical issues, concerns about food safety, and the need for greater awareness.
Solutions involve investing in infrastructure for efficient food collection and distribution, implementing proper food safety protocols, and launching public awareness campaigns to destigmatize surplus food and encourage more businesses to participate.
Rescuing perishable food items, maintaining food safety standards during transportation, and overcoming logistical hurdles are challenges. RLC has forged partnerships with a diverse range of businesses, including restaurants, catering companies, and corporate cafeterias. They partner with them to invest in proper refrigeration, handling processes, and infrastructure to ensure the highest quantity of available surplus food can be used. These establishments play a crucial role in the initiative by regularly donating surplus food that would otherwise go to waste. In addition RLC offers extensive training programs for volunteers.
Rescuing food at the end of the supply chain to supply local homeless shelters and food pantries is a powerful and practical solution to the global food paradox. By turning surplus into sustenance for those in need, these initiatives are creating a more equitable and sustainable food system. As communities continue to come together to address food waste and hunger, the impact of these efforts will undoubtedly extend far beyond the dinner table, nurturing a future where no one goes hungry while perfectly good food goes to waste.
Conclusion:
Rescuing Leftover Cuisine stands as a shining example of how grassroots initiatives can drive positive change in the fight against food waste and hunger.
Through their dedicated efforts, this organization is not only rescuing leftover cuisine but also rescuing communities from the grip of hunger and fostering a future where surplus food becomes a lifeline for those in need.
As their influence continues to grow, Rescuing Leftover Cuisine is setting the stage for a more compassionate and sustainable approach to addressing the global food paradox.
To learn more about Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, to donate, or to volunteer, please visit: Rescuing Leftover Cuisine
It was a beautiful, sunny morning in Paris as I walked along the Seine. It was my birthday and I was completely excited to be spending it in the city of lights!
Across the river, the Eiffel Tower’s wrought iron latticework gracefully sparkled in the sun. Below me I could spy on picturesque houseboats moored along the banks of the river and wondered what it would be like to vacation on one of them.
Tourist cameras were already snapping wildly as trinket vendors (les bouquinistes) began to set up their tiny stalls along the bridges.
I was heading towards the American Cathedral in Paris – on Avenue George V, in the heart of this wealthy tourist mecca – to begin my shift at their Mission Lunch.
Every Friday, 64 homeless and/or poor guests come for a hot, 3-course meal and dessert served by volunteers in a restaurant atmosphere.
There was time to read through several homeowner stories as I waited for the volunteer shift to start at the Habitat for Humanity South Hampton Roads ReStore (HFH-SH) in Norfolk, VA.
I learned of single moms working multiple jobs to make enough to put food on the table and care for their children.
I read a story of a family forced out of their apartment by rent increases. Another family struggled to move to a safe neighborhood to get away from gun violence and drug gangs. One family, unable to secure affordable financing, was forced to live with relatives in crowded conditions. Read more
At just about 2:00 a.m. Danielle and I realized our roof was leaking. We’d been battling the rain for the past two hours, huddled inside our cardboard shelter with a dusty tarp as our ceiling. It was 50 degrees and everything around us had slowly become wet as the rain seeped in – our blankets, our clothes.
A bit exhausted and definitely uncomfortable, we made the decision to dismantle our section of the cardboard city and head inside to the church atrium. Over 575 people had come to participate in Liquid Church’sHomeless Church event. Read more
The speaker stood up at the front of the auditorium….
“Several times a year our group goes into local cities and towns and asks, ‘Who are your missing children?’ We get their names and photos, then make posters of these children.”
(She holds up one of the posters with the faces of at least 15 children on it)
“We then stop at motels and hotels” she continued, “and ask the staff, ‘Have you seen any of these faces?’”
“EVERY TIME we’ve done this we’ve had at least one rescue. Sometimes several. The children are usually going by different names, but we always find someone who recognizes at least one and it allows us to start to work towards finding them and rescuing them.”
These children… they are typically between the ages of 12 and 16. These cities and towns? …. They are in New Jersey….
When I signed up to be a Shelter Helper on a Friday night for Christ Temple Church Ministry’s CTCM Blue Warming Station (CTCM) in Newark, I did not know what to expect. Open up to 3 days a week, and only on nights when the temperature falls below 32 degrees, the church and staff of CTCMgo out of their way to provide a safe, warm, peaceful environment to its guests.
On nights when they are open to house the homeless, they transform the main room into a shelter filled with as many cots as they can, so they can help as many people as possible.
DoSomething.orgis the future of volunteer and activism experiences. The non-profit uses a digital platform to power offline action through hundreds of grass-roots volunteer, social change, awareness and civic action campaigns.
Targeted at ages 13 – 30, the campaigns can be completed by individuals or groups, without any need for transportation, funding by participants, or oversight. Young adults love to get involved and make a difference. They are passionate about causes they identify with. DoSomething.org taps into that potential and makes getting active super easy and super fun, empowering teens and young adults to drive social change.
Sometimes participating in a charity can be super simple – like enjoying a charity dinner… which is what my husband and I decided to do for Thanksgiving. For us, it was an easy choice. Thanksgiving is typically just the two of us. Our tradition is to take the train into NYC, look at the holiday window displays, do a little holiday shopping at Bryant Park’s Winter Village, then have Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant (Blue Fin on Times Square has been our go-to). It’s a really fun tradition – the city is full of lights, energy and happiness, bright decorations and holiday music. Everyone is friendly and you’re surrounded by the excitement of tourists.
Every Friday, 64 homeless and/or poor guests come for a hot, 3-course meal and dessert served by volunteers in a restaurant atmosphere.
There was time to read through several homeowner stories as I waited for the volunteer shift to start at the 
At just about 2:00 a.m. Danielle and I realized our roof was leaking. We’d been battling the rain for the past two hours, huddled inside our cardboard shelter with a dusty tarp as our ceiling. It was 50 degrees and everything around us had slowly become wet as the rain seeped in – our blankets, our clothes.
When I signed up to be a Shelter Helper on a Friday night for Christ Temple Church Ministry’s 
Sometimes participating in a charity can be super simple – like enjoying a charity dinner… which is what my husband and I decided to do for Thanksgiving. For us, it was an easy choice. Thanksgiving is typically just the two of us. Our tradition is to take the train into NYC, look at the holiday window displays, do a little holiday shopping at Bryant Park’s Winter Village, then have Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant (Blue Fin on Times Square has been our go-to). It’s a really fun tradition – the city is full of lights, energy and happiness, bright decorations and holiday music. Everyone is friendly and you’re surrounded by the excitement of tourists.