About Us

Common Table grew out of a report to the USD 383 Board of Education in 2014 about the number of students who were self-reporting as homeless and a community needs assessment that identified food insecurity as a top community concern. At the time, the number of students self-reporting as homeless was approximately 250.  In response to this information, community leaders got together to brainstorm solutions and created the idea of Common Table.

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Common Table started as a collaboration of churches that offered a free community meal seven nights a week in a different church location.  In 2014, meals were served three nights a week and by 2018 meals were served seven nights a week.  Breakfasts were served by two churches three mornings a week.  The original founding members were:

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• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

• Faith Manhattan Church

• First Congregational United Church of Christ

• First Lutheran Church

• First Presbyterian Church

• First United Methodist Church

• Manhattan Mennonite Church

• St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

• St. Thomas More Catholic Church

• Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Manhattan

• Vineyard Community Church

In January 2025, we moved to a single location at 901 Poyntz, the Lincoln Education Center, with the advantage of being able to serve dinner from one consistent location and time.

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Common Table partners with other agencies like the Department of Children & Families, Flint Hills Breadbasket, Flint Hills Food Recovery, and Harvesters to meet its food needs. However, financial donations from the community are also needed to help purchase food and pay staff expenses.

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Common Table is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, allowing us to qualify for grants and other donations, which are tax-deductible.

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The bottom line is that no one should be hungry. Common Table invites everyone to join us for a hot meal in peace and with dignity.