It’s difficult to imagine that hunger exists in America’s Heartland. However, hundreds of our neighbors are food insecure, meaning at times they don’t know where or when they will have their next meal. Others are hungry, meaning there is no next meal.
Tuesday’s Table is a community meal program in Menomonie. More than a meal once a week, it is a gathering to feed the hungry in body, mind, and spirit. Tuesdays Table is a collaboration between Grace Episcopal, Christ Lutheran and Peace Lutheran Churches. Guests of community meal programs represent a good cross section of the face of poverty in the United States. There are guests with criminal records, substance abuse problems, and guests suffering from chronic mental illness. Most have little to no access to quality health care. For some, a shared meal simply reduces isolation and improves their quality of life.
Julie Bendel volunteers and raises money for Tuesday’s Table. We asked her about what drives her philanthropy.
Q. What is your definition of philanthropy?
A. My definition of philanthropy is giving back to support our community to it’s fullest. To make our community the best it can be, to give a helping hand to those that might need it; to support the arts, recreation, music, all the things that make our community vibrant.
Q. Why do you give back to your community?
A. I want our community as a whole to be a vibrant, thriving place and when everyone can give back in some way, that is what I think keeps a community going in a positive direction.
Q. What (other) causes are near and dear to your heart?
A. People who are homeless, people who do not have shelter and trying to get nutritious food to those that need it. Those who are in economic distress would be those I care about the most.
Q. What keeps your volunteering for Tuesday Table?
A. It has been a great blessing to our community in many ways, the spirit that is here every week is the spirirt of comradere and hospitality and the guests and volunteers enjoy each other’s company and we just have a fun Tuesday night every time we are here.