Martha's Table

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Washington National Cathedral's urban ministry work presents opportunities to put our faith and our unique gifts to work--to find our treasures in reaching out to the poor, sick, oppressed, and forgotten. Please consider your place on this earth and lay up for yourself a treasure in heaven. Together, our magnificent Cathedral community can make an ever greater difference. Join with us.

- Patricia Riley Johnson
Cathedral Missioner

MARTHA'S TABLE Founded in 1980, Martha's Table is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to meeting the needs of low income children and families and homeless individuals with meals, learning experiences and support services 365 days a year. Located at 2114 14th Street NW in downtown Washington, Martha's Table is supported by individuals, private foundations, businesses, civic organizations, religious groups and schools, including Washington National Cathedral.

MARTHA'S TABLE PROGRAMS:

• McKenna's Wagon, a mobile soup kitchen, makes regular stops through the city every evening, delivering soup, sandwiches, fruit, pastries and beverage to those in need. Each day volunteers at Martha's Table sort food donations, make soup and prepare the sandwiches and fruit for the wagons and staff the delivery. McKenna's Wagons serve more than 1,200 people daily, including the homeless and needy families. Some who come to the wagon help distribute food to others who are unable to get to one of the stops themselves. Cathedral volunteers provide the sandwiches and fruit for McKenna's Wagon on the third Sunday of the month.

• Community Services for the neighborhood around 14 th and W streets include Martha's Outfitters, a clothing closet where donations are accepted.

• The Martha's Table Children's Program seeks to increase self confidence and a feeling of security among children of the neighborhood, while expanding their horizons through new learning opportunities. The Childhood Development Center and related programs located at the facility provides day care, tutoring services, reading enrichment, an after-school program and weekend and summer activities and parenting programs.

• More details can be found at http://marthastable.org/

• Martha's Outfitters clothing center provides free and low cost clothing, linens, toiletries, books, and children's supplies to those in need. All proceeds from sales go to support the children and youth programs. It is open to the community five days a week from Tuesday - Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers assist in sorting and displaying clothing and helping customers.

• Children and Youth Programs include a Childhood Development Center for children ages 3 months to 4 years; a before and after school program for children age 5 to 9, the Bridge after school program for 10 to 13-year-olds; a teen program for 14 to 18-year-olds as well as parent training and education classes. Tutors and mentors are needed for these programs.

For information about other volunteer opportunities at the Cathedral, contact Cori Jung at the Cathedral Volunteer Office, 202/537-8990 or cjung@cathedral.org.