Big Table

COLORADO SPRINGS CARE REFERRALS ARE BACK OPEN! Do you know someone in Colorado Springs who needs Big Table care? Please send them our way at bigtable.org/refer. It takes 3 minutes to fill out the referral form, and we'll take it from there. Let's serve hope together! #weservehope #bigtablecoloradosprings #openforcare

Flashback to our very FIRST industry dinner on November 9, 2009 in Spokane, Washington. Chef Jeremy Hansen from Sante prepared the meal that was graciously hosted by the great team at The Purple Turtle. We had 28 very special guests – industry owners, managers, chefs, and wait staff were all represented. Some things you may not know: The "big table" was actually finished that very day just in time for the evening's event. In fact, the topcoat varnish on the table was still slightly tacky... which presented an interesting challenge, but didn't prevent the evening from being incredible. At the last minute, Kevin grabbed 3x5 index cards from his office on the way out the door. Those were used as the first “Engage Cards” - a way for guests to share someone they knew who might need care. And these engage cards were gathered in that yellow Dutch oven you see on the table. Kevin shared he got that pot on Etsy and used to collect cards for many dinners until he got tired of “lugging“ it around. The table was heavy enough to carry! You may notice a few familiar faces that were there to help that night: Matt Jensen who later joined our board and HQ team, Megan Finch (Kevin's daughter), and Claudia and Michael Hamilton who still support Big Table to this day 15 years later! A very special night. And just the first of so many memorable industry dinners to come. #weservehope #thepoweroftogether #15yearslater #carearoundthetable #communityofcare

In 2009, the very first Big Table was built in Spokane, WA, and designed by talented architect Chris Olson to hold 24 guests for our first industry dinner comfortably. Thick. Solid. It was a literal beast! And proudly virtually indestructible. It was initially weighing in at nearly 500 lbs. – over the years, this table grew even beefier as we doubled its size to hold 48 people. To us, it is worth its weight in gold. Countless incredible Spokane industry dinners have been hosted around an iteration of this same table over the last 15 years! It has stood the test of time beautifully. The conversations it has witnessed. The culinary delights placed atop its simple pine planks. Priceless. Since then, the Big Table has been redesigned to make the table lighter and easier to transport and set up in Spokane and other cities. (More to come on that!) But the heart behind the table is still the same. To provide a space where we serve those who serve us for a night. And to build community within the hospitality industry around a big, crowded, joyous table several nights a year. Have you sat around the Big Table? #thepoweroftogether #walkdownmemorylane #thebigtable #bigtabledesign #beast #weservehope #bigtablecares #abundanthospitality #industrydinners #aroundthetable #15thanniversary

15 YEARS! Did you know that Big Table has been caring for restaurant and hotel workers in crisis for 15 years now? So excited to celebrate the road paved with hope, the thousands of lives transformed, and everyone who has pulled up a chair to the Big Table – literally and figuratively – since the organization began way back in 2009. We can't wait to share all the memories with you all because honestly, we are Big Table only because of you. So, let's celebrate this milestone together! Starting off, we wanted to show you how Big Table branding has evolved over the years. Stay tuned for more! #thepoweroftogether #caringsince2009 #bigtablecares #weservehope #walkdownmemorylane #careimpact #weservehope #restaurants #hotels #hospitalityworkers #family #relationship #relationalcare

What he really needs to do is talk to a doctor about some painful symptoms he’s pushed through for years because he couldn’t afford care. It’s time to turn the tables. A health crisis can hit when you least expect it. Our industry friends often don’t have insurance or financial resources to get critical medical attention. With a Big Table referral, we find physicians, specialists, and other care partners to help stand in the gap and provide the necessary care. We walk closely beside them with encouragement and support no matter the diagnosis. We’ll do our best to help take the edge off medical bills in the midst of lost hours and wages as they recover, too. Now that is really turning the tables and serving those who serve us. Want to learn how you can help turn the tables and serve hope? Visit bigtable.org to learn more and give a gift today. #BigTable #WeServeHope #BigTableCares #GiveHope #SupportTheIndustry #ItsTimeToTurnTheTables #medicalcare #carepartners #storiesofhope #bigtable #bigtablecares #thankyou #hope #smile #turnthetables

Her life has slung some pretty traumatic curveballs at her, and she needs wise counsel on how to release their grip on her life. It’s time to turn the tables. Mental health issues can be common in the restaurant and hospitality industry, and we get it. Life is hard and at the end of a long shift serving others, it is overwhelming to even start to think working through trauma and major challenges like domestic abuse, devastating diagnoses, crippling grief over a lost loved one. But that is why Big Table is here. All it takes is a simple referral from someone who sees the crisis. We then foster real, intentional relationships to help work through some of the most difficult circumstances. We have care partners that can come alongside to provide counsel and expertise as well. Our goal is simple. We want to turn the tables and serve hope to those in crisis. Want to learn more and help? Visit bigtable.org. #BigTable #WeServeHope #BigTableCares #GiveHope #SupportTheIndustry #ItsTimeToTurnTheTables #servinghope #pouringintoothers #serviceindustry #storiesofhope #hope #wegotyou #referralmodel #turnthetables

We care for the hardworking folks in the restaurant and hospitality industry because we believe it is time to turn the tables. They deserve abundant hospitality, too – especially in their toughest times of crisis. And this is exactly what Big Table does – responding first to whatever need is most critical. That could be an emergency root canal or rent to avoid eviction, connections to combat depression or resources to address crippling debt. We jump in to help, but that isn’t all we do, we stay engaged. We're all about building lasting relationships from the second we get the care referral. We're there in their toughest hours, taking it one step at a time. Together. Your gift ensures we can turn the tables and continue serving those who serve us. Learn more and make a difference at bigtable.org. #BigTable #WeServeHope #BigTableCares #SupportHospitality #ItsTimeToTurnTheTables

As we approach the Autumn season, consider a gift to Big Table. Supporting the people of the restaurant and hospitality industry is an investment in your community. And an commitment to make sure no one faces a crisis alone. Because of our generous giving partners, Laura had a safety net during one of the toughest times of her life. Your gift fosters stability, hope, and a brighter future for our hardworking industry friends. It's time to turn the tables and serve hope to those who serve us. Learn more at bigtable.org. #BigTable #WeServeHope #BigTableCares #GiveHope #SupportHospitality #ItsTimeToTurnTheTables

We're #hiring a new City Director in Colorado Springs, Colorado! This position will be a vital part of growing Big Table’s Colorado Springs division including development funding, while working closely with the Executive team in Spokane, WA to accomplish organization wide goals. https://lnkd.in/ggz3wab9 We are also hiring an Operations Director who will provide oversight and implementation of organization wide systems, financial controls, event coordination as well as team leadership and supervision. https://lnkd.in/g5zgh8xt Is this you? Or someone you know? Reach out to tara@bigtable.org with your resume, cover letter, and statement of faith to receive more information on any position you are interested in today. Thanks! #weservehope #bigtablecoloradosprings

Hidden behind the smiles of the hospitality industry workers is the highest concentration of need in the nation. Highest rates of poverty, addiction, mental health issues, and pretty much every significant risk factor there is. We see referrals for medical emergencies, evictions, broken-down cars, spirals of relapse, and cripling depression. Big Table steps in, not just with critical triage support but with genuine concern and care. We support housing stability, addiction recovery, job readiness, and more, but it's the lasting relationships we build that make the difference. It truly is transformational. Join us in supporting the backbone of our communities. It's time to turn the tables and serve hope to those who serve us. Visit bigtable.org to give a gift today. Thank you! #BigTable #WeServeHope #BigTableCares #SupportTheIndustry #ItsTimeToTurnTheTables