By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Ten years ago Mark Flinkstrom and his 6-year-old daughter, Kristen, joined with other members of the Grace Baptist Church in Hudson to participate in Our Father’s Table, an organization of volunteers from 18 churches throughout the area dedicated to fighting hunger by providing dinner and conversation to those in need. His wife, Kathy, and son, Mark, now 14, joined them and their service as a family has continued throughout the years.
“We wanted to use this opportunity to share with our children that not everyone has the advantages they have at our home,” said Kathy. “It has become a family tradition to serve at Our Father’s Table throughout the year, and we all enjoy it.”
Hot meals are served Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights at New Hope Church, 204 Main St., in Marlborough. Doors open at 5 p.m. Most guests learn of the program through church bulletins, fliers at the senior center, and word-of-mouth.
It started in 1986 when parishioners at St. Bernadette’s Church in Northborough, St. Michael’s Church in Hudson, and Immaculate Conception Church in Marlborough joined together to provide food for many who needed a helping hand. Eventually, they combined resources and formed Our Father’s Table. As time passed, they were joined by other churches in their communities as well as in Westborough and Southborough.
Vicky Killeen of St. Bernadette Parish in Northborough is president of the organization, assisted by Vice President Mary Ellen Duggan. Other churches participating include: Servants of Christ, St. Matthew, Unitarian, St. Stephen, St. Mark’s, St. Matthias, Church of the Holy Trinity, First Church Congregational, Latter day Saints Morman, Our Lady Sodality, St. Michael, St. Anne, Holy Trinity Anglican and Pilgrim Church. Members of St. Mark’s School in Southborough also volunteer during the school year.
Our Father’s Table is funded completely through donations of food and money. Any individuals or groups that would like to volunteer may contact Duggan at [email protected]. Financial contributions may be sent to Our Father’s Table, P.O. Box 916, Marlborough, MA 01752.