10.2k

Meals distributed since 2018

100%

of donations go toward meals & distribution

To learn more about the Welcome to the Table Project, please click on the link to view the recent news story from KDKA: McKees Rocks Woman on Mission

 All are welcome to our sit-down hot meals, served every Tuesday from 6-7pm at the VFW location: 1242 Chartiers Avenue, McKees Rocks PA 15136. Mrs. Banks has organized an exceptional team of volunteers who bring their time, talent and treasure to this endeavor and strongly believe “you don’t have to be homeless to be hungry”.

Since its inception in 2018, over 10,000 hot meals and 7,000 breakfast bags have been provided to individuals, families and students in the community. Originally, this amazing project began serving sit-down hot meals for 25-40 residents. However, the number of residents currently being served has grown and is providing a hot meal to more than 100 residents weekly. It’s amazing!

While the Welcome to the Table Project is happy for the increase in the number of residents being served, the funds necessary to continue the project have slowly diminished. Although donations from the community, business owners and local churches have helped make the Welcome to the Table Project possible, the rise in food and supply costs have prompted all of the volunteers to donate more of their own funds to purchase the food and supplies necessary for this project to continue. Finding the funds to help support the Welcome to the Table Project has become a real challenge.

We are asking for donations to help the Welcome to the Table Project continue its important work in the Sto-Rox community. Your donation will help provide the food and supplies (containers, paper product, etc.) and allow the project to meet the increased demand. Donating to this project is crucial. We need to be able to continue to help fight hunger in this community, but we need your help!

Our Story

The program’s cook and servers are members of Mrs. Bank’s family, including two of her grandsons. Other volunteers include a retired superintendent / former principal from the Sto-Rox School district, members of the McKees Rocks CDC, the Stowe Township Food Bank Director, and employees of Tri-state Office Furniture. Father Regis Ryan has been known to stop in and lead a blessing for the program and the food. Additional donations and financial support come from businesses and residents of Sto-Rox.

• 2018 Meal distribution began at the Christ Community Church on Chartiers Avenue.
• 2019 Meal distribution was moved to the VFW Post 418 on Chartiers Avenue, due to a water main break.
• 2020 The Wednesday dinner program was put on hold, but Mrs. Banks and her passion made sure the community was still being served. Welcome to The Table provided 60 breakfast bags each week to the food banks of Stowe Township and McKees Rocks (30 to each food bank).
• 2021 The Wednesday dinner was converted to a “Grab & Go” style distribution, and the breakfast bags supplement the free hot meal.
• 2022 “Grab & Go” distribution was moved to the Sto-Rox High School Cafeteria.  Meals are distributed to the community as well as students participating in extracurricular activities.
• 2023 – Present   Sit-down dinners are being served Tuesday evenings, starting at 6:00pm.  Location has changed to the VFW (1242 Chartiers Avenue, McKees Rocks, PA 15136)  Doors open at 5:30pm.  Join us for good food and good company!
• 2024 – Present   NEW!  Overseen by Natalie and Ed Pierce, “AfterCare” provides dinners and snack bags (for up to 6 weeks) to families that have lost loved ones to gun violence.
• Future plans include finding a permanent space to cook and distribute meals, and to grow the current organization to reach more members of the Sto-Rox community.

Executive Director & Founder

Mrs. Marlene Banks

Co-Founder

Edward G. Pierce 

Executive Board

Raymond Puskar
Treasurer

Board of Directors                                                                          Volunteer Committee              Board Advisors

Rev. Dr. Brenda Gregg
Father Regis Ryan