Community Table to make transition

By Rose Hooper

The family, who lives paycheck to paycheck, always pays its bills on time. But when there's an unexpected expense, it cuts into their budget. Car payment, rent, phone bill, power bill, child care and insurance can't be juggled. The only variable is their food budget. So when their paychecks are stretched to the limit, their food budget grows thin.

With both parents working, the family makes too much money for government assistance, but barely enough to live on. Once, in desperation, the wife applied for food stamps, but the family was ineligible.

The Community Table is their salvation.

"We see a lot of hard-working families come to the Community Table when their month is longer than their paycheck," said Jackie Hooper of REACH.

The Community Table is also the salvation of many elderly people on fixed incomes. For many of them it's a monthly dilemma -eat or pay for their prescriptions.

While it has been the salvation for many, the Community Table is now struggling for its own existence. REACH, its founding organization, is pulling back sponsorship.

"It's kind of like a parent no longer handing out an allowance," said Hooper. "We want the Community Table to be able to stand on its own."

But right now, during the transition stage, funding for the Community Table is a "little shaky," according to Director Ila Giles, an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer.

"We've been having flea markets on Saturdays, and we raffled off a grill. But that's not enough to keep us operating," said Giles, who plans a Community Table Cook Book as a fund-raiser and promises it will include Velma Fisher's famous bread pudding.

In addition to expenses like water, sewer, power and phone, officials with the Community Table pay $800 a month for rent.

The Community Table recently received its articles of incorporation with Brian Cagle, Frank Padgett and Tim Ralls serving as the incorporating officers. However, it has not been granted its 501(c)(3) non-profit status yet. Until that time, it still operates under REACH's umbrella so all donations are tax deductible.

"We've had one individual commit $100 a month for the next six months," said Giles. "That's the kind of support we need during this transition time. We've applied for grants, but haven't been awarded any yet."

"We're coming up on a rough time, too," said Hooper. "Many of our volunteers are college students who will be leaving for the summer. As soon as school is out, many of our parent volunteers will take vacations. So we'll really be needing volunteers for this summer."

On the average, the Community Table serves 70 people an evening. Its hours of operation are 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

To serve each meal cost $3.08. Those who can, are asked to make a donation. Those who can't afford to give money can contribute by volunteering as servers.

"Currently, donations only cover one-quarter of the expenses," said Giles. "We do more than just provide a nourishing meal. We've become the gathering and socialization place of many in our community, especially the elderly."

While the Community Table struggles to fill these community needs, it needs your support. All donations are tax deductible and can be sent to the Community Table, P.O. Box 62, Dillsboro, N.C. 28725.

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