Shepherd’s Table in Silver Spring sports a new look as it aims to let the community know it not only feeds the hungry but helps them gain marketable culinary skills.
The logo “is a new fresh look for us,” said Daniella Burgos, Director of Development and Communications. “We wanted to focus on the food piece and around building a bigger table.”
According to Shepherd’s Table’s newsletter, “This new logo symbolizes a place setting on a table that’s always open – a place of nourishment, connection and guidance.”
Under its culinary skills program, a third class of six participants will soon finish their training. After learning about fresh foods and how to create meals, getting a job is the main goal for the formerly needy and sometimes homeless people.
The demand for meals served at Progress Place on Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring has risen annually by about 10% since COVID.
During the first quarter of this year, Progress Place served 45,429 meals. And another 1,170 meals were distributed through partnerships with area students at their Beyond the Table program.
During the winter of 2024, demand for meals increased 16%. While the demand for meals continues to rise, Shepherd’s Table’s income lags behind. The nonprofit plans to push harder for grants and donations, according to Burgos.
While promoting the feeding and teaching goals, Shepherd’s Table will not be staffing its Urban Farm program started in 2016.
The vegetable garden located at Progress Place was used to provide healthy choices for those who eat at Shepherd’s Table. The person who ran that program will step down and won’t be replaced. “We just are not able to allocate resources” for the Urban Farm, Burgos said.
However, Shepherd’s Table hopes some of the volunteers connected with the garden will continue growing food there.
