A Seat for Everyone at Open Table

New Group to Offer Free Meals in Fulton

Free, nourishing meals will once again be served to those experiencing food insecurity in Callaway County.  Open Table, a nonprofit, 501(c)3 public charity, will offer its first meal to the community on Thursday, March 2nd, 2023.

Open Table is the result of months of work by a group of committed volunteers from across the community.  Their vision-- to prepare and serve wholesome meals in a welcoming environment to anyone in Callaway County.  The meals will be served on Monday and Thursday evenings from 5pm to 6pm at the John C. Harris Community Center (350 Sycamore St., Fulton), a facility operated by the Fulton Housing Authority.

Sue Beaty, president of Open Table’s Board of Directors, says “For many of us, we go to the store, buy what we need, prepare and eat our meals.  Yet, perhaps that is not the way for everyone.”  There is no cost for the meals and no registration is required.  Anyone who comes will be served dinner.

An outpouring of generosity from the community already stocked Open Table’s shelves with kitchen supplies, appliances, and monetary donations.  The group hopes that same giving spirit will encourage others to volunteer as food preparers and servers during the twice weekly meals.  

“Open Table offers a wonderful opportunity for our neighbors in our community, who have resources, to share their blessings with others.  This includes our use of our time, our talents and our treasure to enrich the lives of our neighbors,” Beaty adds.

Open Table expects to serve about 50 meals a night when they begin serving March 2nd, but the group’s directors are already planning on future growth.  Beaty explains, “Our hope is that our community will continue coming forward with the support and encouragement we have seen thus far. As more Kitchen Teams volunteer to cook and serve and enough food is procured, we hope to expand and serve additional evenings of the week.”

For volunteer opportunities, including serving on one of Open Table’s Kitchen Teams, please email OpenTableCallaway@gmail.com or contact the organization through Facebook Messenger (@opentablecallaway).  Monetary donations can be mailed to Open Table, PO Box 6037, Fulton, MO. 65251.

For more information about Open Table or to arrange media coverage, please contact Rev. Aaron White, Open Table Administrator, at 573-590-3136 or email OpenTableCallaway@gmail.com.

Open Table is led by a 9-member Board of Directors; each director is a resident of Callaway County.  They are working in partnership with other residents, local businesses, civic groups, faith communities, local government, and need-based resource agencies to fulfill the mission of feeding neighbors in need.