Volunteer Spotlight: Julie and Tom

Julie and Tom volunteer every Tuesday afternoon in the Open Table kitchen to prepare takeaway lunches for our senior clients. They started this role in 2018 when Open Table was still conducting in-person shopping and hosting community dinners. Currently, the first few hours of Tuesday’s distribution are reserved exclusively for seniors. Open Table used to provide a sit-down lunch for them before they shopped, and Tom and Julie were in charge of creating these buffet-style meals using surplus donated foods. Some of their most memorable dishes included beef stroganoff made from leftover beef ends and pieces, surprise strata made with surplus ground turkey and eggs, as well as various creative soups and desserts. Seniors (and staff) enjoyed these meals and had the chance to socialize around dining tables in the pantry.

During COVID-19, Open Table shifted to a drive-by distribution model, which changed the structure of the senior lunches. Julie and Tom now prepare a 130 packaged lunches each week in takeaway containers. These typically include a sandwich or wrap, salad, fruit, and dessert or granola bar.

Julie has been living in Sudbury for 8 years, having relocated there after a period of living in England. Previously, she worked in Biotech in licensing and patent work before becoming a stay-at-home parent to her three children, who are all now in college. When her children started middle school and she found herself with some free time, she wanted to contribute to the community, and Open Table seemed like the perfect fit. Julie enjoys reading fiction and writing. When asked why she chose to volunteer at Open Table, Julie explained, “I started because I believe it’s important to pay it forward to others if you are able to; it’s what a healthy community is all about. The happy by-product of that is that I am able to enjoy the benefits of spending time doing something good while working with great people.” And one of those great people is her partner in the Open Table kitchen, Tom!

Tom is originally from Western PA and currently resides in Stow. He is a man of many talents and interests, having pursued various careers, including Graphic Art and Design, radio broadcasting, and engineering. He currently works part-time as a Case Worker and Human Rights Officer for a DSS non-profit. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, biking, and music. Tom’s father was a chef, so he spent much of his youth in kitchens around the country, fostering a lifelong love of cooking. He brings his enthusiasm for cooking, life, and giving to Open Table each week.

Favorite vegetables:
Julie: broccoli
Tom: cabbage (love making sauerkraut)

Local establishment to recommend:
Julie: Family Deli in Maynard—they make a great sandwich and are always friendly and welcoming.
Tom: Love the consistency of Welly’s Restaurant in Marlborough and Hudson.