Neighbors,
Feeding Neighbors
since 1993.
OUR MISSION.
Since 1993, The Community Table has been nourishing hungry bodies and spirits in the Eau Claire Community by serving one meal each day, 365 days a year on a no-questions asked basis. Anyone can join our table during meal time.
Join Us
We serve one meal a day, 365 days a year to anyone who wants to join, no questions asked.
Help Us
Come support your community members by donating or volunteering to keep food on our table.
NEWS & EVENTS
We are always looking for ways to bring our community together. Check back often for news and upcoming events.
Chippewa Valley nonprofits gear up for Giving Tuesday
WQOW coverage of Giving Tuesday fundraisers. Includes interview with our Executive Director, TJ Atkins.
Posted: Dec, 09 2024
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Several Eau Claire organizations served free Thanksgiving meals
WQOW coverage of our Thanksgiving meal service. Includes interview with our On-Site Coordinator, Heidi.
Posted: Dec, 01 2024
Eau Claire organizations and groups offer help for families in need this upcoming Thanksgiving
Local Thanksgiving coverage, including interview with our Executive Director, TJ Atkins.
Posted: Nov, 23 2024
Organizations to host community opioid workshop
WEAU coverage of our August '24 community workshop about opioids
Posted: Aug, 21 2024
Community Table in need of volunteers
WEAU coverage of our volunteer shortage
Posted: Aug, 11 2024
Low volunteer turnout hurting The Community Table
WQOW coverage of our August 2024 volunteer shortage
Posted: Aug, 11 2024
Summer EBT program to help feed families
WEAU coverage of summer EBT program. Includes interview with our Executive Director, TJ Atkins.
Posted: Apr, 09 2024
Sacred Heart Donates 3000+ Pounds of Food
WQOW coverage of TCT donation from Sacred Heart of 3000+ pounds of food. Includes interview with Executive Director TJ Atkins.
Posted: Apr, 07 2024
2nd Annual Black History Month Gala
WEAU coverage of 2nd Annual Black History Month Gala, co-hosted by TCT.
Posted: Mar, 04 2024
4H Group Gathers Apples for Community Table
WEAU coverage of 4H gathering apples to support our mission.
Posted: Oct, 17 2023
5th Annual Dessert Extravaganza
WEAU coverage of our annual Dessert Extravaganza fundraiser, & interview by TJ Atkins.
Posted: Oct, 17 2023
Church holds brat sale in support of The Community Table
WEAU coverage of Brat Stand Fundraiser at St. John's
Posted: Sep, 21 2023
Community Table Murder Mystery Fundraiser
WQOW coverage of our Murder Mystery Dinner Fundraiser. Includes interview with TJ Atkins
Posted: Jul, 11 2023
Xcel Energy employees award $5,000 to Eau Claire nonprofit The Community Table
WEAU coverage of Xcel Energy Foundation 2023 Employee Choice Award of $5,000 to TCT.
Posted: Jul, 09 2023
Organizations partner for first ever community baby shower
WEAU coverage of At the Roots LLC's Community Baby Shower event, attended by ED TJ Atkins.
Posted: May, 09 2023
Local food pantry and meal service see higher demand after extra FoodShare benefits end
WEAU coverage of local pantries, including interview with our Executive Director TJ Atkins
Posted: Apr, 04 2023
New Pantry In Progress at The Community Table
WQOW coverage of our new pantry and storage space, and interview with Executive Director TJ Atkins
Posted: Mar, 15 2023
Community Table Renovations
WEAU video coverage of our recent expansions, including new storage space and our new cooler.
Posted: Mar, 15 2023
Morning Rotary hosting “Super Beans” Bean Bags Tournament Fundraiser
WEAU Interview with Executive Director TJ Atkins about the Rotary club's SuperBeans fundraiser.
Posted: Feb, 07 2023
Food pantries gear up for end of extra COVID-19 food benefits
WEAU coverage of food pantries in the area, including interview by our Executive Director TJ Atkins.
Posted: Feb, 06 2023
Pay It Forward Holds Annual Christmas Breakfast
WEAU video highlighting our annual Christmas Breakfast, sponsored by Pay It Forward.
Posted: Dec, 27 2022
Holiday In A Box Coverage on WQOW
WQOW's coverage of our Holiday In A Box pantry drive. Includes message from Executive Director TJ Atkins.
Posted: Dec, 15 2022
Eau Claire groups providing free Thanksgiving meals
WEAU mention of Community Table and quote by Executive Director TJ Atkins
Posted: Nov, 22 2022
WQOW Thanksgiving In-A-Box Coverage
Donations needed for Community Table's ‘Thanksgiving In-a-Box’
Posted: Nov, 03 2022
TCT and Oakwood Mall Partner for Food Drive
Article about TCT & Oakwood Mall food drive from Aug '22
Posted: Oct, 05 2022
Food bank and meal service affected by inflation
Our director TJ Atkins discusses inflation on WEAU-13.
Posted: Oct, 04 2022
4th Annual Dessert Extravaganza
The Community Table hosted its 4th Annual Dessert Extravaganza fundraiser on October 1st.
Posted: Oct, 03 2022
Giving Tuesday
Our Executive Director, T.J. Atkins, talks to WEAU about Giving Tuesday.
Posted: Dec, 02 2021
3rd Annual Dessert Extravaganza
The Community Table (TCT) hosted its third annual fundraiser: Dessert Extravaganza on October 2, 2021. Dessert Extravaganza is a free community event that includes a silent auction on local bakers' services and various items donated by the Eau Claire community.
Thank you to all of our sponsors and those who donated. We couldn't do it without you.
Posted: Oct, 08 2021
Little Caesars Love Kitchen comes to Eau Claire
Little Caesars Love Kitchen, in partnership with the Community Table, come to Eau Claire on Saturday to provide free pizza to those in need. Pizza was handed out by the slice and you could also get entire pie.
Posted: Jul, 28 2021
Hydroponic garden helps The Community Table feed Eau Claire
The Community Table in Eau Claire has adopted one of the latest enhancements to gardening. The new tool will allow the non-profit to supply fresh produce, while also conserving water, energy and money. All thanks to a gift from a community partner.
Posted: Jul, 28 2021
‘Chalk your neighborhood’ to promote Mental Health Awareness Month
A local group wants you to chalk your neighborhood to uplift your neighbors and promote Mental Health Awareness Month.
Posted: May, 05 2021
Volunteers play crucial role in Community Table’s efforts to meet local hunger needs
Volunteers for The Community Table are a crucial part of preparing the meals it serves, putting in over 3,500 hours of work per year, according to Executive Director TJ Atkins.
Posted: Mar, 11 2021
Questioning the Locals: TJ Atkins
Chatting with the executive director of The Community Table
Posted: Mar, 11 2021
Annual ‘volunteer drought’ not as severe for local nonprofits in 2021
Typically nonprofits see a steep decline in volunteer numbers after the holidays, but some local organizations say they don't expect the need to be as severe this year.
Posted: Jan, 13 2021
The Community Table experiences an unusual Christmas breakfast
Everyday, no matter the weather, the Community Table provides food to those in need. Volunteers who help prepare the meals say the need has been much greater this year, however this Christmas was unlike any other.
Posted: Jan, 06 2021
Why Eau Claire woman volunteers around the holidays
Christmas is the season of giving, and one Eau Claire woman has been giving her time by volunteering at the Community Table for years.
Posted: Jan, 06 2021
Chippewa Valley takes stand against hunger
Nonprofits in the Chippewa Valley are taking a stand against hunger. September is known as Hunger Action Month and there are several ways to show your support.
Posted: Sep, 16 2020
DECI MEMBER FEATURE: THE COMMUNITY TABLE
At 9 a.m. on a rainy Monday, you might expect things to be a little quiet in Downtown Eau Claire, but that’s not the case if you’re visiting The Community Table at 320 Putnam St. Volunteer teams are busy preparing meals, sorting snack bags, and organizing pantry items. And Executive Director, TJ Atkins, is living for it.
Posted: Sep, 16 2020
How you can help The Community Table by creating masks
The Community Table has found a way to lend a helping hand to those who are currently in need of a mask.
Posted: Sep, 16 2020
‘Burgers and Backpacks’ to raise money for the homeless community
The Community Table, along with Together Farms, is hosting "Burgers and Backpacks," a fundraiser for the homeless community this weekend.
Posted: Sep, 16 2020
The Community Table now offering meals to go only
With businesses and restaurants slowly starting to open back up, one charitable organization has decided to take a different approach and is limiting its services even more.
Posted: May, 28 2020
Giving Tuesday encourages donations to local non-profits
Organizers of Giving Tuesday declared the day a global day of giving in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, encouraging people to show their generosity by supporting non-profit organizations across the nation.
Posted: May, 28 2020
New Nonprofit Coalition Will Tackle Chippewa Valley’s Needs During COVID Crisis
A new umbrella organization of eight of the Chippewa Valley’s most prominent nonprofit groups has formed to undertake a fundraising campaign to address the fallout of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Posted: May, 28 2020
Community Table taking extra steps to help prevent COVID-19
In response to all the COVID-19 concerns, Community Table in Eau Claire is taking extra steps to protect their guests and volunteers.
Posted: May, 28 2020
The Community Table announces new executive director
The Community Table has announced TJ Atkins as their new executive director.
Posted: Feb, 06 2020
Local law firm celebrates 100th year by donating money to non-profits
The law firm of Ruder Ware is celebrating their 100th year in a unique way. The firm decided to give money out to local nonprofits in the areas that they serve.
Posted: Feb, 06 2020
25th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”
Posted: Feb, 06 2020
How you can give back to the community during this holiday season
Thrivent Financial and The Community Table are partnering together for the second annual Giving Tuesday event, a day set aside to do good.
Giving Tuesday is on December 3rd this year. It is one of the largest days where people get out, volunteer, and give back to their community. To celebrate this year, Thrivent will match $1 for every $2 donated to The Community Table. You can donate on their website here.
Also, on November 20th, people can stop at the Thrivent office on 4423 Golf Terrace and pick up a basket to collect sugar, spices, and coffee from family, friends, and coworkers. Then they can then bring the basket to the Community Table as part of their Sugar Spice and Coffee Drive.
Posted: Nov, 21 2019
Sack Hunger Pack Hope Event
For children, it’s not as easy to comprehend the fact that some of their classmates don’t go home to dinner each night.
That’s why The Community Table is hosting its Sack Hunger and Pack Hope event Tuesday night from 5 to 8 at Tangled Up In Hue.
Families will be able to decorate meal tote bags – one to donate and one to take home with them.
During the event, there will be a group conversation about what hunger is and how your kids can help.
According to Feeding America, the food insecurity rate for children in Eau Claire County was 15.2 percent in 2017.
Posted: Sep, 12 2019
Pilot program serves up job training with meals
Conventional wisdom holds that you can’t have your cake and eat it too, but some Chippewa Valley residents are finding a way to receive food assistance at the same time they are helping feed other residents and learning job skills that might help them put food on their own tables.
Posted: Jul, 30 2019
Bicyclists seek to stop hunger as they go through town
Seven pedalers from Rhinelander continued a 41-year tradition recently of bicycling 200-plus miles every summer to raise money for charity.
The goals of the Bike Ride for World Hunger are two-fold: Help feed the hungry and have some fun.
This year’s group, comprised of four youths in sixth through 10th grades and three adults, decided to take their road trip through the Chippewa Valley.
The crew from Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rhinelander began their journey Sunday, June 23, by riding from Menomonie to Eau Claire.
The next morning they did a service project at The Community Table in Eau Claire before pedaling off to Chippewa Falls and then winding their way home on bike trails and back roads. The group, which stayed in churches along the route, was scheduled to arrive back in Rhinelander on Friday afternoon.
Posted: Jul, 01 2019
How you can get a pizza or calzone on the go to help the Community Table
A local organization focused on providing hot meals for those in need, has gone mobile, to raise funds to further their mission.
Posted: May, 10 2019
The Community Table starts food truck
The primary purpose for TCT Pizza & Calzone Truck is to serve as a mobile billboard promoting the free meal service, according to a news release from The Community Table.
Posted: May, 10 2019
The Community Table is going mobile!
TCT Pizza & calzone Truck is a new addition to the Community Table in Eau Claire’s outreach efforts.
Posted: Apr, 29 2019
The Community Table bus pass program expanded
The Community Table will now offer year round bus passes.
Posted: Apr, 08 2019
The Community Table, Eau Claire Transit offer year round buss passes
The Community Table and Eau Claire transit offer free year long bus passes.
Posted: Apr, 08 2019
Wine Down & Sack Hunger
Wine Down & Sack Hunger event at 200 Main Art and Wine with Castle Dettinger.
Posted: Apr, 01 2019
Jefferson Award Winner: Debbie Van Deurzen
“He said: ‘Everyone tries to figure out why we are here. What is our purpose? Is this what I am here for?’ He said you need to understand that your purpose is not to work in an office, it was not to sit behind a computer, it wasn’t to answer the phone, you’re here because you help people,” Debbie recalls.
She’s carried that message forward. Over the last year, she’s done a little bit of everything at the Community Table, from organizing the non-profit’s database to meal planning.
“Even when she’s doing something tough like making a recipe work and winging it when we don’t have all the ingredients, she just has a great time and makes sure everyone else here does too,” said Marie Schug, the volunteer coordinator for the Community Table.
Debbie said her main passion since volunteering is educating children on healthy eating.
Posted: Feb, 27 2019
Recent snow and cold temperatures cause volunteer shortage
With driving sometimes dangerous, and the weather just feeling unpleasant, local organizations are short on volunteers.
Posted: Feb, 08 2019
The Community Table launches new 'Meal in a Jar' youth nutrition series
For many kids, macaroni and cheese is a staple meal. Perhaps it’s their favorite. So why not teach them how to cook the dish themselves, but with a healthy twist?
That’s what The Community Table did on Wednesday, when the Eau Claire nonprofit soup kitchen launched its inaugural Meal in a Jar Youth Nutrition series, “How to Doctor Up Your Favorite Foods With Healthy Options.”
Posted: Dec, 20 2018
New program teaches kids about nutrition and culinary education
The Community Table is launching its first Meal in a Jar youth nutrition program. Wednesday students at Roosevelt Elementary School got a chance to participate. The program looks to provide kids with healthy food options.
Posted: Dec, 20 2018
Roosevelt Elementary kids make a ‘Meal In A Jar’
Community Table employees and volunteers taught the students how to create at ‘Meal In A Jar.’ The goal is for kids to learn nutrition skills, culinary experience and to have the confidence to make their own food.
Community Table provided nutritional education, tools and the food to create a healthy macaroni and cheese.
Posted: Dec, 20 2018
Organizations team up to help people vote
Some guests dining at The Community Table on Monday got more than a free hot meal.
If interested, they got guidance and information about voting and additional bus passes so they could cast their ballot today.
“Our goal is to get as many people out to vote,” said Michelle Koehn, executive director of The Community Table, which provides one free meal a day to anyone in need of a hot meal and hospitality
To help with that, she invited volunteers with Chippewa Valley Votes to The Community Table to educate guests and answer questions.
Chippewa Valley Votes volunteers also travel around the area to provide advocacy, education, outreach, training, voter assistance and voter registration.
Posted: Nov, 06 2018
ECASD offering free bus passes to the Community Table
Since 2012, the community table and Eau Claire Transit have been providing free bus passes for people to get to and from the community table in Eau Claire, which provides free meals every day of the year.
Starting November 1st, bus passes will be available to those in need in more spots around the area.
People will be able to find bus passes at all Eau Claire Area School District Elementary Schools. (Flynn, Meadowview, Montessori, Manz, Longfellow, Sam Davey, Locust Lane, Robbins, Lakeshore, Sherman, Northwoods, and Putnam Heights)
Passes will also be provided at various social service agencies like Western Dairyland, ADRC, Family Promise, and Catholic Charities.
Posted: Nov, 02 2018
Chippewa Valley Restaurant Week
Dozens of local restaurants will take part in a celebration of local eats! Restaurant Week gives you access to special menus, offerings, great deals, and invites you to attend a handful of unique food-themed events that raise money for community causes.
Posted: Sep, 20 2018
Never-ending need: The Community Table, region’s only soup kitchen, keeps dishing up hot food daily
As The Community Table reaches its 25th year serving meals to Eau Claire’s hungry, founders and longtime volunteers aren’t quite sure how to feel.
Many feel shock that the only soup kitchen in the Chippewa Valley is still in existence — not because the organization or the volunteers aren’t hardworking and aren’t well-intended. But rather, because the need for these free, hot, nutritious meals 365 days a year only seems to continue growing. And growing.
Posted: Sep, 09 2018
Former contestant on Food Network’s 'Chopped Junior' teaches north side Eau Claire youngsters the va
Castle and his dad, Jake Dettinger, volunteered Tuesday morning to cook a meal with about 40 students from Longfellow Elementary School and teach them the value of vegetables. The kids flocked to The Community Table, 320 Putnam St., to learn about — and taste — ingredients they may have never heard of before.
Posted: Aug, 17 2018
WEAU Pop-Up Pantries look to help those in need
WEAU Pop-Up Pantries look to help those in need
Posted: Jul, 31 2018
Leader Telegram
Pop-up nutrition: Area series of mobile food pantries begins
Posted: Jul, 31 2018
9-year-old girl creates fundraiser for Community Table, goes above and beyond
Thank you Savannah!
Posted: Jun, 01 2018
Joy of giving: 9-year-old leads toy collection effort for Community Table
Savannah Addis conducted a project, where her goal was to completely overhaul our current kids play area! This story demonstrates exactly how and why she went above and beyond our expectations.
Posted: Jun, 01 2018
The Informalist & Driftless Cafe for The Community Table Fundraiser
January 11th, 2017 - Executive Chef Luke Zahm of The Driftless Cafe + Executive Chef Amy Huo of The Informalist get together to create an original farm-to-table meal at The Community Table. All proceeds go directly to The Community Table.
Posted: Jan, 02 2018
Skipping Meals: Dwindling donations mean Community Table may have to cut back on services
For the more than 40,000 people who visit it annually, Eau Claire’s Community Table offers a simple but vital service: a hot, healthy meal available every day of the year.
Posted: Dec, 08 2017
Donations run thin for Community Table
Time and money are on the minds of a non-profit dedicated to feeding thousands of people every year. The Community Table says an increase in guests and dwindling donations have them reaching out for help.
Posted: Dec, 08 2017
Bug Eyed Betty's lending helping hand to The Community Table
An Eau Claire restaurant is lending a helping hand, after a cry for help from The Community Table.
Posted: Dec, 08 2017
The Community Table names Eau Claire native as new executive director
“We are looking forward to having Michelle Koehn lead our organization”, said Ben Franko, president of the board of directors.
Posted: Dec, 08 2017
Koehn appointed to help run The Community Table
The former executive director of Sculpture Tour Eau Claire is now helping to run a non-profit that helps provide meals to people who could use a little help.
Posted: Dec, 08 2017
Realtor group donates to Community Table
The REALTORS® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin donated $2,500 to the nonprofit.
Posted: Dec, 08 2017
New director plans to bring the Community Table's funds "back into the black"
Just weeks after sending out a desperate call for donations, the Community Table is announcing a new leader. Michelle Koehn is just settling into her new position, but she says she aims to put the non-profit back into the black.
Posted: Dec, 08 2017
Charter Bank donates $5,000 to Community Table
Charter Bank has doubled their annual contribution to the Community Table to help fund their programming.
Posted: Dec, 08 2017
Community Table's new leader believes kitchen can bolster funds and keep feeding the hungry
When she arrived at the helm, Koehn inherited an operating
Posted: Dec, 08 2017
The Community Table in dire need of donations to keep up with service
The Community Table serves more than 100 meals every day of the year. Franko said if they cannot get more donations, they might have to cut back on how many days they're open.
Posted: Dec, 08 2017
The Community Table changes serving schedule due to volunteer shortage
Starting now through the beginning of September, they will provide a hot meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. instead
Posted: Jun, 29 2017
Community Table looking for more summer help
As the summer months approach, the Community Table in Eau Claire is concerned about the number of volunteers they are seeing.
Posted: Jun, 29 2017
The Community Table Volunteers
The Community Table relies completely on volunteer teams from the community to prepare and serve the hungry.
Posted: Jun, 29 2017
