OUR STORY

Welcome to The Table Project was founded in 2017 when long-time resident and community advocate, Mrs. Marlene Banks wanted to address food insecurities in the Sto-Rox community.  Mrs. Banks’ vision was about more than feeding hungry people.  It was to bring community members together for connection and company, and that everyone served be treated with compassion, dignity, and respect.  “You don’t have to be homeless to be hungry” became the battle cry of the early years.  With help and support from Mrs. Banks’ son, Ed Pierce (Co-Founder), Welcome To The Table Project was born.

WELCOME TO THE TABLE PROJECT TIMELINE

  • 2018 Weekly meals began at the Christ Community Church in McKees Rocks with 25-40 community residents coming to eat every Wednesday.
  • 2019 Meals were moved to the VFW Post 418.  Attendance steadily grew, and a delivery service was considered.
  • 2020 In-person weekly meals were put on hold due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, however, Mrs. Banks and her team quickly gathered resources and began making Breakfast Bags for the food pantries in McKees Rocks and Stowe Township, as well as for local senior living centers.
  • 2021 Weekly in-person dinners were still on hold, however,  Mrs. Banks and her team created “Grab & Go” dinners. Program participants could pick-up hot meals to go.
  • 2022 “Grab & Go” distribution was moved to the Sto-Rox High School Cafeteria.  Meals were distributed to the community as well as to students participating in extracurricular activities.
  • 2023  Sit-down dinners returned.  Weekly meals were once again served every Tuesday.
  • 2024 – Present  Commander Ed Carter and his team at the VFW welcomed Welcome To The Table Project’s  weekly meals back to the VFW.  Weekly meals continue to be served on Tuesdays at 6pm.
  • 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

As food prices continue to soar, Welcome To The Table Project’s programs and services are needed now more than ever!

Future plans for Welcome To The Table Project center on thoughtful, sustainable growth. We aim to reach even more neighbors in the Sto‑Rox community by expanding the number of meals we serve and increasing our delivery capacity for those who cannot attend in person. We are also working toward securing a permanent home of our own, a dedicated space that will allow us to broaden our programs, operate more efficiently, and deepen our long‑term impact.