Harvest Table
Rotary Continues it’s Long-Term Support for Harvest Table and Its Mission to Combat Hunger
Harvest Table, an organization that the Rotary Club has long been associated with and supported, recently celebrated it’s 15 year anniversary on October 12th.
Harvest Table has provided free Saturday night meals and has grown to offer various services to support low-income and homeless individuals. Founded by retired art teacher Karen Dawson and friends looking for a meaningful way to spend their time, Harvest Table has evolved from a simple idea into a vital community resource. Every Saturday night, between 15 to 25 volunteers come together from civic groups, churches, and local companies to serve 130 to 170 meals to those in need.
I recently spoke with Dawson, and Rotarian Rebecca Guzy, who plays a key role in continuing to connect the organizations to amplify the impact for those in need, to learn more about their partnership.
Karen Dawson connected Harvest Table with the Rotary Club from the start, inspired by her father’s legacy as a founding member of his Seattle Rotary. She saw the club’s community mission as a valuable resource for Harvest Table. “I have an immense amount of respect for what Rotary Clubs do for communities, and I knew I could count on them to help support the Harvest Table’s mission from the beginning.”
From the start, Rebecca Guzy was instrumental in developing the relationship between Rotary and Harvest Table. After joining Rotary in 2010, Guzy was moved by Karen Dawson’s talk about Harvest Table’s mission to serve free meals to those in need. With a background in the food industry, Guzy appreciated Harvest Table’s respectful approach, treating every guest with dignity, like a guest in a home or restaurant. “With a career in the food industry, providing meals has always been close to my heart. Harvest Table’s mission to serve anyone in need, no questions asked, resonated deeply with me.”
As the main liaison between Rotary and Harvest Table, Guzy organizes Rotarians to serve meals at least four times a year for Harvest Table’s guests, as well as coordinating donations of leftover food from Rotary events, and helping to raise funds for Harvest Table’s financial needs.
When Harvest Table began to evolve to offer more support for those in need throughout the years, the Rotary has been there as a partner to aid in its growth “Rotary has greatly supported Harvest Table over the years, donating essential appliances, helping to fund a weekly on-site nurse, and providing thousands of meals. Beyond this, Rotary has raised awareness about local homelessness and hunger, fostering compassion and generosity within the community” stated Guzy.
What began as a passion for helping those in need has blossomed into a deeply rewarding journey for both Dawson & Guzy. “The most rewarding part of Harvest Table is seeing guests leave on Saturday nights with gratitude and happiness!” states Dawson. For Guzy, she is thankful for everything the ministry does, “there is no one thing. All associations with the ministry are gratifying!”.
Article written by Jonathan Pickens