By Rebecca True

Rachel’s Table has been working since 1989 to help lessen the presence of hunger in Worcester. Carla Szymanski (pictured right), the director of Rachel’s Table, explains that the name of this vital organization comes from “…the biblical story of Rachel and her son Joseph…,” and stressed that Rachel’s Table is blind to religion and ethnicity. Rachel’s Table, according to Szymanski, has donated ten million pounds of food to local shelters, pantries, and soup kitchens since its inception. During the current economic downturn, Rachel’s Table has been doing even more to help the 16.9% of Worcester families are encountering food hardships.

Rachel’s Table also works with milk and summer food programs that donate food and milk to children in Worcester who otherwise would have to go without. The summer program provides lunches and breakfast to children who are not in school, the only place they’d be able to get these meals.

Rachel’s Table receives donations from all different places: Szymanski says that places like Chipotle and Olive Garden, to name just a couple of many, donate unused food to them for distribution to Worcester’s needy. Even local colleges and universities like Holy Cross, WPI, and Clark have gotten involved.

Want to help? Volunteers are always needed! Szymanski said that all people are welcome to volunteer and donate. They accommodate all schedules and are encouraging more students to get involved in Rachel’s Table. Many students have held on campus fund raisers for Rachel’s Table. Anyone interested in more information should visit www.rachelstable.org or call 508-799-7699.

Szymanski finished with these words: “The need is very great for many reasons, the economy makes everything worse, there are a lot of people suffering more than anyone is aware of.  1/3 of children are hungry or at risk of hunger, it’s a big problem.”  Definitely something to keep in mind.