Thank You to Our Retiring Board Members

Open Table wishes to thank the three board members — Patty Chambers, Gina Cummings, and Vivek Kamath — who are retiring at the end of our fiscal year. Each has dedicated their time, energy, and expertise to Open Table, and their contributions have clearly made a difference. 

Although Patty, Gina and Vivek are stepping down, we hope this isn’t goodbye. Their insights and advice will always be valued. We look forward to their continued support. We wish Patty, Gina and Vivek the best as they move on to new endeavors.

Patty Chambers was recently the honoree at the 2026 Open Table Chopped for Charity gala. Patty has been on the board at Open Table for 12 years and currently serves as the Board of Directors clerk.

A long-time Maynard resident who has spent her entire career at Middlesex Savings Bank, Patty has been instrumental in shaping Open Table’s long-term relationship with the town. Over time, she’s become the “face of Maynard” on our BOD.

She was instrumental in closing Open Table’s bid to relocate to the Aubuchon Hardware building on Main Street and has connected Open Table to local events and organizations where she believed its presence mattered. Over time, Patty has shifted the perception within Maynard of Open Table from outsider to trusted partner.

Beyond her public role, Patty helped Open Table think through its banking needs as the organization grew. She suggested practical ways to manage and secure funds, including how to use ATM cards for multiple staff members, as well as ideas on banking, staffing, and HR.

Patty has served on multiple Open Table committees, including the executive committee, the governance committee, and as co-chair of the BOD. She’s a regular presence at events, such as the annual Thanksgiving turkey distribution and the Family-to-Family holiday bag distribution.

Gina Cummings brought significant insights to Open Table from her work with major non-profit organizations, such as Oxfam America, where she is the Vice President of Advocacy, Alliances & Policy. Equally helpful is her long history of service in the areas of hunger and homelessness, environmental justice, HIV/AIDS and the disproportionate negative health impacts on women of color from vulnerable communities.

Gina joined the BOD because she was drawn to Open Table’s mission and its approach for engaging with clients. “It felt like a community that saw a whole person and treated everyone fairly, with kindness and with attention to their particular circumstance,” said Gina.  “I like to think that I have brought some new perspectives to the BOD by tying Open Table to the best practice approaches I see in other organizations that engage with marginalized communities.

“Also, I have loved being part of the board thinking about strategy and helping with governance.  Finally, I have enjoyed each and every volunteer opportunity that I’ve been able to have with food pantry distribution.”

Going forward, Gina hopes for long-term growth and success for Open Table as well as the ability to bring the organization’s expertise to a widening population.

Vivek Kamath is wrapping up his tenure as Treasurer, a member of the Board, and Chair of the Finance Committee. A hands-on volunteer at Open Table, Vivek started out working in the kitchen with Jed (whom he helped hire), drawing on his background as a former restaurateur. 

In addition to cooking, Vivek particularly enjoyed indulging his need for order by organizing the vast pantry, making it much more user friendly and efficient. With his executive experience with supply chain matters, Vivek was able to bring his professional experience to bear for the benefit of Open Table. 

As Treasurer, Vivek worked with staff to establish new reporting and financial structures and collaborated with the BOD and consultants on strategic planning. 

Vivek recently moved to Wrentham where he is continuing to follow his passion for tackling food insecurity with the Franklin Food Pantry. He is already volunteering there and serving on their Finance Committee. Given his contributions here at Open Table, the Franklin Pantry is lucky to have him, and we are thrilled that he will be able to continue the fight against food insecurity. We will miss Vivek’s perspectives, dedication to our mission, intellect, and warmth – as well as the delicious food he would often bring to BOD meetings.