On Wednesday, Nov. 29, volunteers gathered at the First Methodist Church in the fellowship hall for the final Community Table, preparing and packaging hundreds of meals for neighbors as they have done for nearly 10 years.
“The Community Table has been a labor of love for so many volunteers, not just from our church but our community,” said Pat Leatherwood representing FMC, adding several other churches were part of the ministry. “We would like to thank those individuals and organizations that helped serve and fund this ministry. Students from Dublin High School, Tarleton State University, and service organizations like the Elks Club, Rotary Club and many hardworking individuals made this ministry possible.”
Leatherwood was there for the formation, bringing the idea before the Church after hearing about the community meals offered by DeLeon’s Methodist Church.
“Members of the First Methodist Church of Dublin realized its membership included many good cooks looking for an opportunity to share their love of cooking,” Leatherwood recalled. “On one Wednesday evening each month, they would open the fellowship hall to the community and serve a satisfying meal and a heaping helping of fellowship with the good people of Dublin.”
Stormy Armstrong headed the ministry, plotting menus and getting cooks together.
First Methodist decided as it started the project that it could try it for one year and, hoping it would grow.
The first meal on Jan. 29, 2014 drew 30 people. It grew to 60 every month by the end of the year. By November of 2015, the Community Table was serving more than 200 between the people gathering at the church and deliveries made possible by Goodfellows’ Michael Haley, who organized a network for delivering meals to people who could not get to the church.
This growth was made possible in part by the Stephenville Area Elks Lodge, which started getting involved and providing regular donations in 2015.
“I got invited to come help with one and thought we’ve got to get involved,” Elks Lodge trustee Larry Stanford said. These funds were provided through the lodge’s fundraising efforts and the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant. The Grand Lodge also provided extra support for fulfilling community needs through the pandemic.
Armstrong moved to be closer to family after five years of heading the program. DJ Klutts took over the ministry, with assistance from Mary Haley and Julia Broussard, and the ministry began serving as many as 350 meals in the monthly gathering.
“The amazing feat was how these ladies were able to prepare so many meals in a small non-commercial kitchen,” said Leatherwood. “The logistics of preparing food, packaging meals, creating routes, and delivering across the community became huge.”
It was a lot of work but the volunteers felt the reward was more than worth the effort.
“It’s amazing—that feeling when you are giving back to the community,” said Stanford, who particularly loved helping with deliveries. “There are no words to describe that feeling when they come to the door and smile at you.”
All this made the decision to end the Community Table a difficult one for FMC.
“As time will do to all of us, we have lost key people, the need has outgrown our facilities, and the magnitude of work has exhausted our pool of volunteers,” Leatherwood reported. “What we committed to for one year has lasted for 10, but we are saddened this ministry has come to an end.”
“We will continue to serve,” Leatherwood added. “We pray those who are able will share their resources with the community through our Food Pantry as it is in constant need. We also look to start new ministries fitting our resources and ask you to join us as we continue to serve our neighbors. May God Bless!”
Stanford said the Elks Lodge is also looking to carry on the Community Table’s spirit and is exploring options on how to do something similar in the future.
Blood Drive set for Dec. 17
A blood drive in honor of Josey Roman will be held from 1-5 p.m. Sunday Dec. 17 at the Carter Care Blood Bus parked at The Station at 825 N. Patrick.
The drive is being hosted by the Dublin Rotary Club.