Open Table awarded $100,000

Open Table, the local food pantry and community dinner, is the proud recipient of a $100,000 grant from Cummings Foundation’s “$100k for 100” program. The Maynard and Concord based organization was chosen from a total of 597 applicants during a competitive review process.

The money will be used to fund several new staff positions at the recently expanded organization. The opening of their first permanent location last August launched Open Table to the next level, increasing their capacity to serve more people and to find new and creative ways to combat food insecurity.

“There are very few grants out there that cover salary and operating costs,” said Open Table Executive Director Jeanine Calabria. “In order to build in consistency of oversight and reliability of our food source, we need staff. This grant gives us the opportunity to do just that.”

Open Table is looking to hire a pantry manager to oversee food management; a facilities manager to maintain the building and keep services running; and a truck driver to cover the multiple trips into the Greater Boston Food Bank and the delivery of bags of groceries to people who don’t have access to transportation.

Cummings Foundation awards $10 million each year through its “$100k for 100” grant program, primarily to nonprofits in Middlesex, Essex and Suffolk counties. More information about Open Table and the work they will be able to do with this grant can be found at www.opentable.org.