The Big Table

Big Table care starts with a referral that leads to initial crisis care in one of these five impact areas;
1. Housing Stability
2. Medical + Dental Care
3. Mental + Emotional Health and Life Coaching
4. Job Readiness
5. Addiction Recovery

Strategically, we catch people before they fall off the ledge into financial and emotional devastation. Caring for people before the crisis and level of assistance needed becomes unmanageable, allows us to help far more individuals and families, and radically increases the chances of long-term success.

We pair this crisis care with ongoing relational coaching and mentoring that builds on the initial crisis to support long-term hope, resilience, and capacity.

We start not with a request from the person in crisis, but with a referral from someone close to them - often a manager or colleague who sees this need.

This referral allows us to:
1. target the most critical needs quickly through the community around them
2. identify those who are striving to succeed, and ensure the validity of the need
3. change the power dynamics and shame present when someone asks for help themselves

When a referral is received, we meet in person over coffee (whenever possible) with the person referred to begin crisis support and relational care. We do not ask referees to come to our office or fill out forms. Our ultimate goal is to cultivate ongoing relationships that create opportunities for connection, fostering authentic transformation.

Big Table has a well-developed cadre of resources to contribute to the success of our mission.

In addition to our Headquarters team in Spokane, WA, we have well-trained administration and care teams established in each city (Spokane, San Diego, Nashville, and Colorado Springs) who bring a wealth of professional experience to the work they do. Care Engagement Coordinators invest in those referred to Big Table through conversation and encouragement, working with them through crisis to help navigate barriers and/or apply for other resources to accomplish individualized goals.

To support further transformation, Big Table recruits and trains volunteer coaches in specific growth areas dedicated to building capacity in an individual’s life. These coaches mentor care recipients and model accountability and community while simultaneously celebrating victories. We also have volunteers who donate a range of tangible goods, including home supplies, furnishings, clothing, and even cars to provide care recipients with everything they need to thrive.

Community partnerships are a cornerstone in building capacity and providing holistic care to those in need. Big Table has strategically partnered with other organizations in each city to support families across all five of our impact areas. Additionally, we have a broad and sustainable funding base of individual donors, foundations, corporate partners, faith-based communities, and the industries we support.

We have filled a gap that wasn't previously filled by a charity. Instead of focusing on a cause, we are focusing on a high-risk population - who are working - but who often fall in the "working poor" category. We continue to be the only non-profit that provides financial help coupled with long-term relational coaching to the restaurant and hospitality industry. We have helped thousands of people over the past decade and continue to receive referrals on a daily basis from all over the country. Our long-term goal is to expand to 7 more cities by 2029.