Martha's Table

Martha's Table (founded in 1980) is a non-profit organization, an active charity and volunteer center in Washington, D.C.^[1][2] The mission of Martha's Table is to help at-risk less fortunate individuals in the surrounding communities to develop their living situation into a better one through volunteer programs.

Children, youth and family learning

Martha's Table provides more than 300 young people from the ages of three months to eighteen years old with nutritious meals and supervised education over the course of the year in a safe environment. There is also support for the entire family through Martha's Table. This shelter also helps build the knowledge of parenting skills in the less fortunate.

The Children, Youth and Family Learning division of Martha's Table helps keep youth and families away from the violence on the D.C. streets. Provided are: Meals and snacks; educational programs including games, tutoring, and computer learning; nutrition education, outdoor recreational activities to help show the youth about fitness, arts and crafts, community service opportunities, and entrepreneurship education.

The other programs held at Martha's Table to help those less fortunate to prevail through their lives are the: Childhood Development Center which provides day care, the Elementary Program for before and after school care for grade school students, the Bridge Program which works with young teens on academics through outdoor recreation – the program has a weekend section which is called GOAL (Get Out And Learn); Teen program works with teenagers to focus on their futures with college awareness and workshops in art fields. There are also programs for parents on communication and healthy ways of living.

Martha's Table also provides an all-day summer camp for the ages of 5-18 years old.

17 Year Old Student DenJuan Dukes says: Martha's Table Teen Program (MTTP) is a good program for teens in DC to be in, I honestly enjoy my time here at (MTTP) we have fun, we get paid, and most of all we learn something new everyday. Thats why i come to (MTTP) not just to get paid, its because I learn new things everyday and I like learning new things that I don't know.

McKenna's Wagon

Seven days a week there is a mobile soup kitchen called McKenna's Wagon, which feeds more than 1200 hungry and homeless people in many locations around Washington, DC. The Wagon is named after the founder of Martha's Table, Father Horace McKenna, S.J. There are also holiday meals provided during Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Often there are churches, synagogues, workplaces, and schools that work with Martha's Table to help run McKenna's Wagon. For example, students at Gonzaga College High School ride on the wagon weekly to help serve food.

Martha's Outfitters

Martha's Outfitters is the center where the less fortunate and homeless can either purchase low cost clothing or receive it for free. They also provide linens, children's supplies and toiletries. The earnings that come from Martha's Outfitters go back into sustaining the children and youth courses they hold.

Location and hours of operation

2114 14th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20009 202-328-6608 [e-mail]

8AM-6PM Everyday

References

1. ^ McCombs, Phil (1996-05-31). "Bill Gates, Putting Software On Martha's Table". The Washington Post. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/22118759.html?dids=22118759:22118759&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=MAY+31%2C+1996&author=Phil+McCombs&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Bill+Gates%2C+Putting+Software+On+Martha's+Table%3B+Computer+Mogul+Pays+a+Visit+To+Check+Out+His+Investment&pqatl=Wikipedia. Retrieved 2007-10-20. 
2. ^ Baker, Peter (1989-11-20). "Martha's Table Gets Jump on Holiday Giving". The Washington Post. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73912018.html?dids=73912018:73912018&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=NOV+20%2C+1989&author=Peter+Baker&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Martha's+Table+Gets+Jump+on+Holiday+Giving&pqatl=Wikipedia. Retrieved 2007-10-20. 

External links

• Official website
• Bush Speaks at Martha's Table. CNN. December 20, 2001.