Connexion Come to the Table

Come to the Table Community Meal at Connexion:

Where food builds community, community creates connection, and Connexion changes lives. Come to the Table is a weekly community meal program serving up to 150 meals every Wednesday evening in East Somerville, a designated Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area where over 60% of residents qualify as low or moderate income.

As one of the most densely populated cities in New England, Somerville's unique demographic makeup creates specific challenges in addressing food insecurity. East Somerville, in particular, stands out and represents one of the most diverse and multilingual communities in the Greater Boston area, requiring culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate approaches to food security programming. Our "Come to the Table" weekly meal is a successful community program that thrives by partnering with local immigrant-owned restaurants and food justice nonprofits to provide culturally appropriate meals while creating resourcing opportunities and fostering community connections. The combination of high housing costs, significant transportation expenses, and limited access to affordable food options creates a perfect storm of economic pressure on East Somerville residents, making it increasingly difficult for families to maintain food security. ● Over 60% of East Somerville residents qualify as low or moderate income ● Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment exceeds $2,800 ● Transportation costs average $9,000 annually per household ● 42% of residents spend over 30% of their income on housing ● Limited access to full-service grocery stores creates food deserts ● Rising costs of fresh produce and healthy foods disproportionately affect this community. 

Food Security with Dignity:

Our meal program prioritizes both nutritional value and cultural relevance while maintaining the dignity of all participants through a restaurant-style service model. ● Weekly hot, nutritious meals serving 150 people ● Partnership with local immigrant-owned restaurants to provide culturally appropriate meals ● Professional food service presentation with both eat-in and take-out options ● Take-away portions available for additional food security throughout the week ● Special dietary accommodations available (vegetarian options always offered) ● Following USDA MyPlate guidelines to ensure nutritious, balanced meals ● Local restaurant partnerships that strengthen the neighborhood economy ● Partnership with Project Soup, the local East Somerville Food Pantry.

Community Resource Hub:

We transform our meal service into a one-stop resource center, making essential services and information accessible to community members in a familiar, comfortable setting. ● Weekly rotating schedule of partner organizations providing on-site services ● Resource materials distributed in multiple languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese) ● Direct connection to social services and community programs including: o Healthcare screening and vaccine opportunities o Housing assistance information ●  Employment resources ●  SNAP benefit enrollment o Immigration services o Mental health resources ● Information sharing about jobs, housing, and resources ● Dedicated space for non-profit tabling and resource sharing ● Occasional Live music performances to enhance the community atmosphere.