What else does Rachel’s Table Do???

A New Program of Rachel’s Table

In the summer and fall, teens from the greater Springfield area and the Valley glean fresh produce from local farms and deliver it to Rachel’s Table agencies. The farmers are thrilled to not waste their unused produce and the agencies delight in receiving nutritious food for their clients. This project is supported in part by the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, the B’nai Tzedek Youth Foundation of The Harold Grinspoon Foundation and the Posnick Produce Fund.

Got Milk?

The Bernice and Joseph Kalicka milk project - Started by the Kalicka family who recognized the importance milk plays in the nutrition of women and children and that milk is a very expensive commodity, Rachel’s Table purchases shelf stable milk (Parmalat) for emergency shelters, food pantries and soup kitchens that serve women, children and families in need.

Where’s the Beef?

The Protein Project – Many of our shelters and food pantries have access to nonperishable food donations through can drives that schools and other groups run. However, providing their clientele with enough fresh protein products is always a challenge. Fresh meat, chicken, and fish are expensive and logistically difficult to donate. Therefore, in conjunction with some generous local businessmen, Rachel’s Table raises money to purchase fresh protein products for our agencies.

It makes “cents!”

The Kimball Food Bank program – The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts provides our agencies with the wonderful opportunity to buy food at the amazing price of only $.18 per pound. Sanford and Toba Kimball were long time volunteers for Rachel’s Table and were inspired by all of the special work our agencies do on a daily basis. To honor this work, the Sanford and Toba Kimball fund provides cash credits to our agencies to spend at the Food Bank.

Make a Wish!

The Birthday Cake program – Every child deserves to celebrate their birthday with a cake and Rachel’s Table ensures that this happens. We provide $10 Big Y gift certificates along with silver coins to each agency that serves children. This enables the agency to purchase a birthday cake at Big Y for each child.

Fruit ‘n Granola

“Grant –A-Snack” program – Kids need healthy, nutritious snacks to help them concentrate and mature both physically and intellectually. This program, created in memory of Phil Grant, purchases kid-friendly nutritious snacks for our recipient agencies.

Eat Your Peas and Carrots!

Fresh Produce Project

Proving adequate nutrients to the hungry is very expensive. The vitamins, minerals and fiber from fresh fruits and vegetables are hard to duplicate. Agencies struggle with the expense of purchasing fresh produce. Rachel’s Table purchases fresh produce for our agencies on a rotating basis.