SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Changes are on the way for Rachel’s Table, the food rescue program that has long been a part of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts.
Rachel’s Table is now transitioning to become a stand-alone nonprofit organization. According to a news release from the Jewish Federation, this move will allow Rachel’s Table to have control over its own budget and programs allowing it to expand it’s reach through the region.
Since it’s inception, the program has grown, operating six days a week with more than 200 volunteers collecting food from more than 60 donors, like local supermarkets, delivering it to shelter and pantries in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties. Moving forward, Rachel’s Table will become a partner of the federation rather than a program.
“The Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts is proud of Rachel’s Table’s achievements and is excited to see Rachel’s Table come into its own as a nonprofit organization,” said Nora Gorenstein, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts. “Over the past thirty years, we have proudly seen Rachel’s Table grow and evolve in ways we never imagined. Therefore, we felt this transition was the next natural step for Rachel’s Table.”
“We have all these plans, we have a new van, which has doubled and will soon triple the amount of food that we can deliver. We have a wonderful new grant to support our growing gardens program, we’ll just be continuing to grow and we just needed the space and the authority to do so,” said Jodi Falk, director of Rachel’s Table.
Falk said she is grateful that Rachel’s table had 30 years of support and assistance from the federation, that allowed the organization to develop their niche and grow. Rachel’s Table will be celebrating its 30 years at an event coming up this summer.
