About Us

Focusing on Need

Village Table Wellesley launched in 2020, as the pandemic was making a growing number of people uncertain about where their next meal was coming from. Many of the food-insecure find it difficult to cook due to constraints on time, housing, and ability (inadequate kitchens or no time to cook meals). Under the guidance of chef Gary Arthur, and with generously provided seed funding from the Village Church in Wellesley, we started cooking. The goal was clear and simple: focus on the need.

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Our Volunteers

Our enthusiastic community of volunteers numbers 200 and continues to grow! Our kitchen is joyful, inclusive, and multigenerational. Everyone who joins our community of volunteers is welcomed, seen, and embraced, regardless of age, address, ethnicity, or kitchen skills. We foster a joyful and connected spirit through extensive communication.

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Our Process

Twice a month, over a three-day cycle — prep, cook, package — we make 350-500 individually portioned meals. Each meal is nutritious, delicious, and beautifully packaged. A garnish of fresh herbs or a sprinkle of cheese may be a small thing, but it is one way we show our care and respect for those receiving our meals.

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Our Reach

We deliver the meals, fresh or frozen, to our partner social service organizations — such as food banks and shelters — for distribution to the people who need them. In addition, we deliver directly to families in need as identified to us by partners. We always make extra meals to fill local community fridges, where people can access fresh food on the principle of “Take what you need, give what you can, no questions asked.”

Secret Ingredient

The secret to our low cost per meal is that we are fully volunteer-run and do not carry overhead costs thanks to the donated use of the Village Church in Wellesley commercial kitchen. Every dollar received is directly used to efficiently transform raw ingredients into homemade meals.
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Moroccan Chickpea Stew cooked by Village Table Wellesley

Meals Produced in 2025

Cooking Cycles Planned for 2025

Our History

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2020

Gary Arthur launches Village Table Wellesley
Community Fridges becomes the first partner organization

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2021

Meal volume more than doubled from inaugural year.
Temple Beth Elohim Table launches after training with Village Table Wellesley
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2022

Shannon Kelly becomes Director
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2023

6,466 meals cooked, packaged, and distributed
Five new partner organizations added

  • May Documentary premiere and first fundraiser
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2024

10027 meals cooked, packaged, and distributed
Two new partner organizations added

  • January Shannon Kelly receives the Dream Sharer’s Award from the Village Church in Wellesley and Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church for her work directing Village Table Wellesley
  • January First pop-up book club to discuss Home Made: A Story of Grief, Groceries, Showing Up–and What We Make When We Make Dinner by local author Liz Hauck
  • September Village Table Wellesley receives the Pivot Award from the Charles River Chamber of Commerce
  • November Pop-up book club to discuss Free Lunch by Rex Ogle
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2025

(non-final number) 2674 meals cooked, packaged, and distributed

  • January Village Table Wellesley receives the Abernethy Award by the Village Church in Wellesley Service Ministry

Our Story

Feeding Hearts: A Village Table Wellesley Story is a 2024 documentary directed by Abby Duffy and filmed by the Wellesley High School Film Club.

Our Volunteers

In our kitchen friendships have been born, kitchen surprises have been solved, transitions to retirement have been supported, milestones have been celebrated, and laughter has abounded. Our volunteer community feels like family. Meet three of our volunteers!

Village Table Wellesley volunteer Piper
Piper

Ready to tackle anything in our kitchen with a smile! High school student from Wellesley.

Village Table Wellesley volunteers Warren and COnnie
Warren & Connie
Dynamic duo, especially in readying the kitchen for a prep or cook session. Retirees from Weston.
Village Table Wellesley volunteer Daryl
Deryle

Inaugural volunteer who will work any type of shift and will step into a leadership role when needed. From Wellesley.