Meet James Normandin of Community Table

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Normandin.

Hi James , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started with Community Table in 2020 as a part time temporary hire screening clients for COVID-19 symptoms. As the times changed, so did my role with the organization, and shortly after my hire date I transitioned into leading the drive-thru box distribution model we implemented during the lockdowns. After 6 months of temp work a position opened inside the organization to help coordinate food programs, and I happily took the opportunity to become a full-time employee. For the first couple of years with the organization full time, I slowly but surely started taking on more responsibility inside the organization. This led to my formation of a workplace safety program at the pantry, a first of its kind for our organization, and a position restructuring to Manager of Food and Safety. I’ve served the organization in this role until July of this year, when after another restructuing of staff positions I was promoted to Director of Food and Safety. In my current role I have the pleasure of supporting our operations staff who together support over 300 volunteers each week to ensure we offer the highest quality and most compassionate service to our clientele.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I genuinely have enjoyed my tenure with the organization and the unique struggles we face in our industry have truly helped to shape my character and vision for myself over the last few years. Working in nonprofits can be rewarding in different ways than the for-profit industries, In respect to Community Table, the Board of Directors and our executive leadership have cosistantly prioritized work-life balance when developing policy that impacts the happiness and success of Community Table staff.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Community Table?
Community Table is a food pantry located in Arvada. We serve clients primarily through our client choice shopping area in our pantry. Client choice ensures that clients have the oppertunity to select food for themselves and their households at no cost to them from a “grocery store style” pantry. This process helps ensure that clients recieve the most diginity when the recieve food resources and that the food resources we procure are being distributed in a way that will minimalize waste. In addition to our client choice shopping area, we also provide The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), mobile pantries in low income and senior living communities, delivery services for homebound clients, a weekend supplemental child nutrition program called Feeding the Future, as well as hosting a Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) distribution for seniors in partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies.

Besides being a food pantry, Community Table also provides financial assistance programs. For financial assistance, Community Table staff assist residents of Arvada, Wheat Ridge, and Westminster with rent and utility payments, employment equipment, or transportation assistance on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, our assistance programs provide educational assistance through our GED program, community cooking classes through our partnership with Cooking Matters, as well as partnering with other providers like DMV2GO, Jefferson County Human Services, Benefits in Action, and A Precious Child.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Definitely humility. Working in an industry where the goal is to work yourself out of a job; or in our case, eradicate food insecurity in our community, it is truly a humbling experience to know despite our efforts the demand for our services continues to grow and expand to an all-time need. However, the most humbling aspect of my experience with Community Table has been seeing the countless times our community has stepped up to support Community Table finacially, with their time, and with their effort. I hope to one day give back the compassion I’ve been shown by our volunteers and donors.

Pricing:

• Free Services
• Free Groceries
• Free Laundry

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cotable.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecotableorg/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCoTableOrg
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Community_Table01

Image Credits
City of Arvada