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Feed 306 families each week at the Thursday Table in Riverside

The the Thursday Table pantry in Riverside is running low just as demand rises; $3,450 will stock it for 6 weeks.

🇺🇸 United States1,979 views
Rowan H. Black
Email verified
Riverside
Since 2021, our volunteer team has run the Thursday Table every Saturday from the back of the old library basement. We started with 29 families, and now we feed 306 each week. Donations have dropped by about 33% this harvest gap, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 13 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Riverside market and keep every receipt. Each $45 feeds a family of four for a week. I'll post the weekly shopping receipts and a photo of the shelves each Sunday. Where the $3,450 goes: • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $2,000 • Fresh vegetables and fruit: $740 • Baby formula and diapers: $480 • Refrigeration and electricity: $230 I never thought I'd be the one asking, and I'm grateful for every bit of support. - Rowan

Updates from Rowan

  1. Good news. Because of your gifts ($1,210 in total) the plan for refrigeration and electricity is now scheduled. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  2. Small update. $1,161 so far, the first invoice got paid this week.

  3. Good news. Because of your gifts ($370 in total) I met with the wholesaler and confirmed the amounts. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  • Zahid Hridoy Siddique 🇮🇳 · $69.50
  • Adeline N. Contreras 🇺🇸 · $100

    “Hope this helps. Gave what I could this week. - Durham”

  • Esther Lilian Kamau 🇺🇬 · $25

    “Wish I could do more. Thought of Rowan all day after reading this. - Mukono”

  • Ayesha Iqra Ahmed 🇵🇰 · $5
  • Rotimi Musa Ajayi 🇳🇬 · $10
  • Kennedy N. King 🇺🇸 · $100
  • Dumisani T. Mazibuko 🇿🇦 · $20
  • Theophilus Emmanuel Amoah 🇬🇭 · $250

    “Be well. Thought of Rowan all day after reading this. - Accra”

  • Stella R. Oliver 🇺🇸 · $75
  • Anonymous 🇦🇺 · $5
  • Madushan Upul Fernando 🇱🇰 · $50

    “Be well. Gave what I could this week. - Negombo”

  • Rahim Jahid Begum 🇧🇩 · $20
  • Ricardo W. Espinoza 🇺🇸 · $20

    “Take care of yourselves. Thought of Rowan all day after reading this. - San Francisco”

  • Tawan Chalerm Kittisak 🇹🇭 · $25
  • Hendra Agus Wibowo 🇮🇩 · $10
  • Emine Emine Bozkurt 🇹🇷 · $10
  • Ismael F. Aguilar 🇵🇭 · $15
  • Dinesh G. Jat 🇮🇳 · $10
  • Aravind R. Krishnamurthy 🇮🇳 · $10
  • Brooklyn C. Gill 🇺🇸 · $200

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  • thinking of you. Projects like this are what make a place worth living in. We lost years of savings to something like this so I get it. All the best.

    • Anisa Tika HidayatPhoto verified

      I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Read this on the bus and kept thinking about it all day. Greetings from Dortmund.

      • Hope it all works out, Rowan. Hope you get there. I told my book club about it and three of them are giving too. Greetings from Kolkata.

        • Faith Nancy KiptooPhoto verified

          Thinking of you and your family, Rowan. Projects like this are what make a place worth living in. Love from Seattle.

          • Good luck, Rowan. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. God bless

            • Hang in there, Rowan. Projects like this are what make a place worth living in. Love from Mumbai.

              • Your post was clear and honest. Greetings from Kazan.

                • hope it all works out. Gave what I could, wish it was more. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. Love from Girona.

                  • Hope you get there. After 11 years in teaching I know how hard it's to ask for anything.

                    • so sorry you're going through this, Rowan. Your post was clear and honest. I have a 7 year old who wants to send good wishes too.

                      • Sending love, Rowan. Hope you get there. Blessings

                        • Praying for you, Rowan. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. God bless

                          • Sending love, Rowan. Hope you get there. All the best.

                            • I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. I went through something like this 12 years ago and strangers helped me out. Thinking of Riverside

                              • sending strength, Rowan. Hope you get there. I went through something like this 10 years ago and strangers helped me out. Greetings from Comilla.

                                $2,536.50 raised of $3,450

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