Special to Concord Patch  

By Tom Burke

Open Table Receives $1,500 Contribution from Massachusetts Bankers Charitable Foundation

Nominated for Community Grant by Long-Time Philanthropic Partner Middlesex Savings Bank

Open Table, the all-volunteer organization that offers weekly community supper programs and food pantries in Concord and Maynard, Massachusetts, has received a $1,500 Community Grant from the Massachusetts Bankers’ Association Charitable Foundation.

President Peter Hilton of Open Table received the check from Michael Kuza, senior community relations representative of Middlesex Savings Bank. Middlesex, a long-time philanthropic partner of Open Table through both its own charitable foundation and its community giving program, nominated Open Table for the grant.

“These funds are most welcome and needed, especially during the holiday season.  We serve between 100 and 120 people at our community meals each week at both our Maynard and Concord locations, and another 300 families receive food from our pantries every week as well,” said Hilton.

Meals and pantries take place every Thursday at First Parish Church in Concord and every Monday at Clock Tower Place cafeteria in Maynard.

Open Table emphasizes healthy and nutritious food for its annual total of 15,000 dinner guests and 25,000 recipients of pantry groceries.  The agency receives approximately 150,000 pounds of donated food and purchases approximately 100,000 additional pounds every year.  Guests come from many surrounding towns and from as far away as Boston.  All are served with no questions asked.

The $1,500 from Massachusetts Bankers Association was one of 33 community grants, totaling $131,500, that were announced on December 10. Recipients were nominated by the association’s approximately 180 member banks.

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 PHOTO CAPTION:  

Open Table President Peter Hilton, on right, accepts check for $1,500 from Michael Kuza, senior community relations representative of Middlesex Savings Bank, on the steps of First Parish Church, where Open Table hosts a community meal and food pantry every Thursday evening.