Teacher Spotlight:
Ms. Nikea Williams, Lead Teacher
At Martha's Table, we are so proud of and grateful to our hard-working and dedicated Education Team!

We recently sat down with Ms. Nikea Williams, a Lead Teacher and parent of a Martha's Table graduate, to learn more about her experience working with Martha's Table over the past seven years.

What inspires you at Martha's Table?
I love when I walk in the room, and the babies crawl towards me. They want to see me and have unlimited love. My co-teachers are like family, as well.

What do you love about working with children at Martha's Table?
I love seeing children grow and develop, creating strong bonds and spending time with families. The "continuity of care" structure allows teachers to stay with children from infancy to toddler age. We get to step right into their critical years of development and family life and stay connected for three years.

In what ways does your role as a teacher support your continued learning and growth?
I enjoyed getting to choose specific sessions I found valuable at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) conference. I chose sessions on creative and preventive discipline practices as my babies are entering toddler-hood. I want to have strategies to help them communicate and express their needs without frustration.
Parent Perspective: Lyft Grocery Access Program
Martha’s Table and Lyft team up to address access to healthy food with a pilot program providing discounted flat-rate rides to and from grocery stores and Martha’s Table Market. The glaring grocery gap in DC - just three full-service grocery stores in Wards 7 & 8 to support 150,000 residents compared to nine grocery stores in Ward 3 to serve 80,000 residents - poses significant challenges for families seeking reliable access to healthy food. 

The Lyft Grocery Access pilot program will begin in January and is open for registration for families enrolled in Martha’s Table education program as well as families of students from seven elementary schools in Wards 7 and 8.

A Martha’s Table parent, Ms. India Allen, shared about the potential benefits of the Lyft Grocery Access Program pilot. For her, the discounted rides will save her significant time and money, but more importantly the rides will provide reliable and convenient transportation. Ms. Allen lives in a full house, so “with a car full of groceries – a door-to-door ride would be the most convenient option.”
Calling All College Students Eager to Engage
in Social Change
Martha's Table invites college students to "join us at the table" in making a lasting community impact as a Student Ambassador .

Student Ambassador program participants will:
  • Learn how to start and manage their own non-profit organization covering topics like: Legalities of a Non-Profit, Budgeting & Fundraising, and Volunteer Engagement
  • Engage with like-minded scholars as well key agents of social change within the Martha's Table network
  • Expand volunteer recruitment efforts to support the Joyful Food Market program, which supplies fresh produce and healthy pantry items with 53 elementary school partners in Wards 7 and 8.

Apply today and share this opportunity in your networks!

IMPORTANT DATES:
  • Applications due: Monday, December 31, 2018
  • First Session: Saturday, January 19, 2019

For more information, please contact: Uneka King, Volunteer Engagement Fellow, at uking@marthastable.org
Reminder: December Market Tomorrow
December Market at
The Commons:

Friday, December 21
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
2375 Elvans Rd. SE

No-cost Market Menu
String Beans
Onions
White Potatoes
Cauliflower
Apples
Oranges
Bananas

Partners & Activities
Recipe Demo & Taste Test
Martha's Outfitters
ReachDC Reading & Book Signing
Excel Pharmacy
Save the Date:
January Market

Friday, January 25
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
The Commons:
2375 Elvans Rd. SE
Volunteer Drivers Needed: McKenna's Wagon
McKenna’s Wagon offers chef-created, scratch-made hot meals, snacks, and beverages each night to residents of D.C. We are in need of more drivers. Nightly volunteer shifts are just under 2 hours: 4:45pm ~ 6:30pm.

To get involved, drivers are expected to:

  1. Volunteer as a helper for McKenna’s Wagon 2 times OR complete a training (offered 11:30am-1:00pm Tuesday-Friday) at Martha's Table on 14th Street (2114 14th Street, NW).
  2. Have three years of a clean driving record and submit a copy of your driver’s license to Martha’s Table to be cleared through Martha’s Table’s insurance provider.

For more information, email volunteer@marthastable.org
Recipe from Chef Greg:
Spaghetti Bolognese with Vegetables
Chef Greg is one of our talented in-house chefs who prepares healthy hot meals for McKenna's Wagon. Try one of his delicious recipes below- an easy way to amp up nutrition and add color to a family favorite!
Cook Time: 10 mins.
Serves: 4 people

Ingredients
  • 1 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-2 medium green or red peppers, diced
  • 1 zucchini, sliced
  • 1 head of broccoli, cut into florettes
  • 1 can low-sodium diced tomatoes
  • 1 can low sodium tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp basil
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb whole wheat spaghetti, cooked per package instructions
  • salt and pepper to taste
Steps
  1. Heat oil in a medium skillet.
  2. Add ground beef and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until brown.
  3. In a large skillet or sauce pan, heat oil and saute diced onions and garlic for about 1 minute.
  4. Add diced peppers, zucchini, and broccoli. Saute all vegetables together for about 5 minutes until tender.
  5. Add diced tomatoes and tomato sauce to large skillet with vegetables.
  6. Add oregano, basil, and salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Stir and cover vegetables.
  8. Simmer about 5 minutes
  9. Combine beef and vegetables.
  10. Serve over cooked whole wheat spaghetti
This holiday season, support strong children, strong families, and strong communities.
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