Vincent LaRocca, a board member and volunteer chef Mark Riccio, a former board member/treasurer.
ANSONIA — A local nonprofit whose mission is to feed people in need will host its first-ever fall craft fair to ensure nobody goes hungry.
Masters Table Community Meals will host the “Fall into the Holiday Craft Fair” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 4 at Assumption Church, 61 North Cliff St. More than 35 craft vendors will be on hand, peddling various wares. Some of the local vendors and crafters attending include Tranquil Hive Honey Company, Mary Kay, Something to Chalk About with Sue, By Diane with Love, Smile Calm and Oil On, Inked Envy, Mama Llamas Crafts and Dirty Steve’s Homemade Soaps.
Admission to the event is free, and breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase. The event will also feature several raffle baskets, including a 43″ HD TV. DJ Roberto Valez will provide live music throughout the day.
Master’s Table Executive Director Jim Fedak, Jr. encouraged all to come and enjoy the fair where people can get a head start on their holding shopping, while contributing to a good cause.
Founded in 2011, Master’s Table relies on donations and volunteers to offer nutritious meals twice a month to people in need. Fedak said he grew up volunteering at various soup kitchens in Florida and Connecticut, with the vision one day of opening his own.
“The difference with Master’s Table is although we act like a soup kitchen, we don’t operate as a soup kitchen,” Fedak said. “We get to know our guests and their needs and hopefully we can help with their needs outside the meal.”
Fedak said he learned that one couple who came by for a meal needed a microwave oven. Fedak asked around and found someone who donated a microwave to the couple.
The meals Master’s Table offers to people are prepared and cooked by volunteers and include a full-course dinner. Fedak said food donations from area businesses, like Gazy Brothers Farm which provides fresh fruits and vegetables, along with private donations and fundraisers, has enabled Master’s Table to grow to serve more than 3,000 meals a year.
In addition to hosting bi-monthly meals out of Assumption Church, Fedak said they do a special Thanksgiving meal. Last year, Fedak said the nonprofit distributed 60 bags of food which included frozen turkeys and all the trimmings, during a drive-up event. In addition to the food, the first 60 cars that came by received grocery store gift cards.
“We offer more than food, we offer hope and assistance for the needs of our community,” Fedak said. “We don’t turn anybody away unless we run out of food. If that happens, we give them a gift card to a food store.”
Fedak said in addition to the meals, guests are often treated to visits by Griffin Hospital Parish Nurse Maggie Sessa, who does blood pressure screenings. Master’s Table also partners with Traveler on a Mission, an Ansonia-based nonprofit that provides essential hygiene products to adults and children, which are handed out after the meals.
“You can get your meals to go, or you have the option to sit down with us at Assumption Church, where we do giveaways at each meal, including food, clothes and knick-knacks,” Fedak said. “And if it wasn’t for our volunteers, this wouldn’t happen.”
Fedak, who also runs St. Vincent DuPaul Food Bank in Derby, said Master’s Table also works with Living Springs Church in Seymour, where proceeds from their clothing donations benefit the meals program.
A “Food to Kids” program was also started last year to help local school children in grades 3 – 5 with food assistance on the weekends. While some students enjoy free or reduced meals Monday through Friday during school, Fedak said some don’t always have access to food when the weekend comes.
“We started with 12 kids in one Valley school, and it has grown to 30 students in two schools,” Fedak said.
Master’s Table pays rent for the space its uses at Assumption Church, Fedak said, and relies on private donations, monthly donations, the annual Great Give fundraiser and more to keep its mission going.
Anyone interested in making a monetary donation can send a check, made payable to Master’s Table and mail it to: Master’s Table, P.O. Box 175, Ansonia, CT 06401, and write in the memo of check where they want the donation to go: “Master’s Table” or “Food to Kids.”
More information about Master’s Table can be found on their website at www.masterstablemeals.org or by calling 203 – 732-7792 or 203 – 685-4428 or by email: masterstablect@gmail.com.
