TABLE Celebrates Full Renovation, Operations in New Carrboro Location With Ribbon Cutting

Despite being in their newer location in downtown Carrboro for more than a year, the nutrition nonprofit TABLE has a lot of celebrate — and did so by holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday.

TABLE’s leaders and community dignitaries gathered at 311 East Main Street to cap off its full renovation of its permanent space, sharing tours to display its improved loading dock for trucks, a walk-in cooler and expanded, fully-functional kitchen. The projects are some of the long-term changes TABLE made after moving into the building last January as it transitioned from the 209 East Main Street space to a larger location just a block away. After fundraising through 2023, the nonprofit reached the $3.25 million necessary to complete the purchase of the space — which is four times bigger than its prior home — free of any debt.

TABLE Executive Director Ashton Tippins (center, with scissors) and Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee (center, right) stand with other TABLE staffers to cut the ribbon at 311 East Main Street. (Photo via the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro.)

With the move, TABLE says it has increased the number of children it serves from 850 to more than 1,100 each week through its TABLE@Home food access program, which delivers a mix of fresh produce and non-perishables to families’ front doors.

“We are so grateful for the incredible support we’ve received from our community over the years and especially at the ribbon-cutting ceremony,” Executive Director Ashton Tippins said. “Thanks to everyone who came out and helped make our new space a reality – it’s truly a reflection of what we can accomplish together. At TABLE, we’ve always believed that every child – no matter their background – deserves access to fresh, healthy food. Our new home allows us to serve more children, engage more volunteers, and keep building the kind of inclusive, caring community where everyone is welcome.”

TABLE has operated in Orange County since 2008, starting as a weekly food assistance team delivering food for a dozen Chapel Hill-Carrboro elementary students. Since then, its operations have expanded to cover children of all ages throughout the county — including introducing the TABLE Marketplace model in the summer of 2021, which allows families to pick out food in a grocery-style setting at TABLE’s office. In total, the nonprofit has shared more than 3.4 million meals and snacks with 91% of participating families attesting that their children eat more fruits and vegetables than the families could provide for them alone.

Featured photo via TABLE.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

‹

CHCCS Asking for Volunteers, Donations to Feed Students and Families

In the 2018 to 2019 school year, almost 27 percent of children in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro City School District were reported as food insecure. That’s over 3,000 students. As COVID-19 keeps schools closed and many parents from work, local nonprofits are seeing a bigger need than ever and need your help to serve the community […]

The Glass Jug Aims to Provide Relief Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper made the decision Tuesday to close all restaurants and bars for dine-in service to try and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, greatly affecting workers in those industries who rely on hourly wages and tips to make ends meet. Chris Creech, the co-owner of the Glass Jug Beer […]

Food Banks Step Up, But Need Help - Dec. 9, 2025

The Hill's Andrew Stuckey speaks with CORA's Melissa Driver Beard, TABLE's Suzanne Tormollen, and PORCH's Erin Riney. They discuss the new challenges facing organizations battling food insecurity in our community, and the sense that their role is becoming more permanent. They also discussed the specific challenges faced in our community around food insecurity, and what is needed to improve their effectiveness. They also talked about the sea-change moment when SNAP benefits were withheld during the government shutdown, and more.

GUIDE: Where to Find Food Resources In Orange and Chatham Counties

Here's our guide to where residents in both Orange and Chatham can find food assistance and services as SNAP funds run dry.

'The Needs Keep Growing': Local Non-Profits Discuss Impact of Lack of SNAP Benefits

After officials in the Trump Administration concluded last week they cannot legally use a $5 billion contingency fund for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) amid the ongoing government shutdown, the local non-profit TABLE said it will continue its work of fighting food insecurity in the Chapel Hill and Carrboro communities. Wednesday, October 29 marked […]

On Air Today: Supporting SNAP Recipients, with TABLE

Katisha Paige of TABLE joins Aaron to discuss how they're preparing for cuts in SNAP food benefits - and how we all can help.

Years After UNC Career Ended, Sam Howell's TABLE Partnership Still Endures

Visitors to Bru’s Public House in Carrboro this past month may have seen a unique item on display: a pair of Sam Howell's NFL cleats.

On Air Today: Sam Howell's TABLE Cleats on Display at Bru's Public House

TABLE's Director of Marketing Suzanne Tormollen spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, September 23. She discussed TABLE's history with former UNC star quarterback Sam Howell, and his decision to feature TABLE for the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign.  She shared the opportunity for the public to view the cleats at Bru's Public House in Carrboro, where folks can also enter to win a signed photo from Sam Howell, a video message from him, and to VIP tickets to TABLE's upcoming "Empty Bowls" event on October 5 in Carrboro at the town commons. She also discussed the continuous work TABLE does in the community to feed kids, how folks can help support their mission, and more.

Food Nonprofit TABLE to Grow Produce on Orange County Park Land Under New Agreement

Orange County has partnered with the local nonprofit TABLE in a three-year deal that will allow the nonprofit to use designated land for sustainable agriculture to address food insecurity.  The land is on the site of the future Twin Creeks Park on Old NC Highway 86. Twin Creeks Park was part of a […]

TABLE Celebrates Full Renovation, Operations in New Carrboro Location With Ribbon Cutting

TABLE's leaders and community dignitaries gathered at 311 East Main Street in Carrboro to cap off its full renovation of its permanent home.

›