What's Cookin'

by Chef Jeremy Melusky

Hello, Summer!

Spring—and the pollen—came and went, and now we are getting ready for the dog days of summer. The A/C is now running in both the dining room and the kitchen.

TacT Updates:

• May was another strong month at TacT. We served 1,289 guests, with a weekly average of 248.
• Thanks to donations from our Amazon wishlist, we were able to install a Ring camera at the team entrance.
• We purchased a new battery-operated lawnmower set to keep our property in tip top shape. If you’re seeking community service hours or simply wish to lend a helping hand, we would be incredibly grateful for your assistance in keeping our grounds looking it's very best. 
• Our TacT kitchen will receive a deep cleaning after hours on Tuesday, June 30.
• A major electrical upgrade is scheduled for the week of July 6. This will help prepare us to upgrade the dish room and ADA bathroom when funding becomes available.

Recipe of the Month: Homemade Cheeseburgers

This month’s recipe is another favorite: homemade cheeseburgers made with simple, classic ingredients—ground chuck or 80/20 ground beef, fresh burger rolls, thick-cut bacon, and crumbled blue cheese or Roquefort. I prefer Martin’s Potato Rolls, toasted.

Best Regards,

Jeremy

Director Transition

As we bid farewell to Wendy Berry, the heart and soul behind The Taunton Area Community Table, we celebrate her invaluable contributions and unwavering passion for alleviating hunger and fostering community connections. Wendy's retirement on June 30th marks the end of an era. While we will undoubtedly miss Wendy, we are excited for her new chapter and grateful that she will continue to support our Monthly Community Dinners as a volunteer.

The TacT Board of Directors is thrilled to announce that Jeremy Melusky, who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership as our Kitchen Manager for the past five years, will step into the role of director starting July 1st. Let us come together to congratulate Jeremy on his well-deserved promotion and extend our community's support during this transition, ensuring that the values of compassion and inclusivity that TacT embodies remain strong. Together, we will continue to provide a nurturing environment for all our guests, reinforcing our commitment to combat food insecurity and foster unity within our community. Join us in celebrating both Wendy's remarkable journey and Jeremy's new leadership as we look to the future with hope and determination.

A final word from Wendy Berry:

The past 11 1/2 years have been an incredible journey---certainly with moments of frustration and heartache, but far more often by profound joy and inspiration. I leave knowing with certainty that this was exactly where I was meant to be. Thank you for your unwavering support and for trusting me to lead the Taunton Area Community Table Mission. I am truly blessed to have shared this path with you. I close with the mantra that has guided my service: "To whom much is given, much is expected." As I step down I can only hope that I have met what is expected of me.

We are thrilled to take a moment to shine a light on one of our most dedicated and cherished volunteers, Ed McNamara, who has been an integral part of the TacT family since its very beginning in 2015. Ed embodies the spirit of our community, quietly and diligently working behind the scenes every Thursday, ensuring that our kitchen remains a welcoming space for all. His commitment goes beyond just washing dishes; when the kitchen floors cried out for a makeover, Ed stepped up without hesitation, investing countless hours into sanding, priming, and painting, all while funding the project himself. It's this kind of selflessness and initiative that truly defines TacT and reminds us all of the power of collaboration and community spirit. Today, we not only celebrate Ed but also honor the countless volunteers like him who contribute their time and passion to make TacT a thriving hub of inclusivity and support. Thank you, Ed, for your unwavering dedication and for inspiring us all to be better together!

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Mark your calendar for:

The first ever TacT-fully Funny comedy night on November 21.

The first ever TacT Craft Fair on November 7.

Details to follow!

Monthly Community Dinners:

June's Community Dinner is sponsored by:

The Hoye family, The Mullen family and The Cabral family.

A huge Thank You goes out to the Big Blue Bug for their generosity in providing and serving the May Community Dinner.

Our community dinner is served the last Thursday of every month from 5:00pm to 6:00pm.

This meal is made possible by a dedicated monthly sponsor who contributes $400, covering the cost of food for up to 50 guests. Sponsors are welcome to participate in any way they choose - by helping prepare the meal, volunteering to serve, or supporting behind the scenes. Sponsors include local businesses, church groups, families and individuals, including those honoring or remembering loved ones.

About Us:

As summer approaches we could benefit from donations of anything from our Amazon wishlist such as:

• Placemats
• Coffee
• To Go containers
• Salad dressing
• Food safe vinyl gloves
• Drink mixes
• Individual packets of relish and mayonnaise

Items not on our wishlist but always in demand for, are:

• Men and women's hygiene products
• Travel size toiletries
• Men's socks
• Shopping bags for take-out meals (i.e red Target bags, heavy duty shopping bags)

Thank you for your generosity and support in making our community a better place for everyone.