Human Rights Awards Reception – Spotlight! on Martha's Table

The Human Rights Award Reception is less than four days away, and we are so excited to honor individuals and organizations from across the world and in our community, for their dedication and commitment to furthering human rights.

This year’s Distinguished Community Human Rights Award will be presented to Martha’s Table and accepted by President and CEO, Patty Stonesifer!

Martha’s Table is a Washington, D.C. based organization dedicated to providing healthy starts, healthy eating, and healthy connections to children and their families. The organization has been a part of the Washington, D.C. community for over 35 years, reaching over 18,000 people through their food, education, and thrift store programs.

With over 14,000 volunteers, the organization has become more than just a vital part of the D.C. community, but a family and community within itself. One cannot walk down 14^th Street and not marvel at the humble establishment that exudes so much soul and warmth, you are immediately drawn in. 

Beginning with their Healthy Start program; Martha’s Table provides opportunities for children ages 3 months to 4 years to learn about nature, reading, different cultures, science, art and computers. The goal is to prepare young children for kindergarten with a “Learn through Play,” approach (who does not think learning should be fun?). But, the organization does not stop there: they also provide “After-School and Out-of-School Time,” where they offer accredited after-school programs to provide students with safe, supervised, and supportive academic environments.

One of the most important accomplishments of Martha’s Table is providing healthy eating for those in the Washington D.C. community. The organization runs such programs as the McKenna’s Wagon – a mobile soup kitchen-, Martha’s Table Mini-Market, the Joyful Food Market, and Martha’s Market. These market programs began in 2011, as a result of a partnership with Target Foundation’s Meals for Minds program. The program runs monthly markets in 8 elementary schools, two community centers, and in their own early childhood education center. The market provides families with healthy, free groceries each month! Hopefully these markets will one day take over the world.

Finally, let us not forget Martha’s Table also runs Healthy Connections, a program geared towards parents, providing opportunities for parent engagement: a program run through their Parent Success Center, a center dedicated to providing families with support, training, and opportunities to enhance their success. They also have programs for youth and older children, providing them opportunities to work and learn. Martha’s Table also runs Martha’s Outfitters – a thrift shop- selling clothes for $20.00 or less.

Martha’s Table’s mission is to set up the Washington DC community for success. Aligning with the United Nation’s new Sustainable Development Goals (also, known as the Global Goals), Martha’s Table is helping the community eradicate poverty and hunger, achieve good health and well-being, and provide quality education one community at a time.

Martha’s Table shows us, that helping the world can be as simple as starting with the world around you.

So, please join us on Thursday, December 10, 2015, in honoring Martha’s Table with the Distinguished Community Human Rights Award.