Table Grace Ministries

"Nourishing Hungry Bodies and Souls"

Segments of  TGM

Segment titles 

History  - 5:41
Current impact - 5.26
Job Experience - 3:54

Melissa Carlberg

Member at Large

Nebraska Medicine Internal Communications Sr. Coordinator I first heard of Table Grace at church, when Simone and Matt came and spoke to Bethel Lutheran a
couple years ago. I immediately was impressed with the mission of the organization and the services it provides to our community. I had a chance to visit with them briefly at the ELCA Synod Assembly in 2017, and of course enjoy some delicious food. Most recently, Simone led worship at Bethel again, and I was excited to hear about the growth, including the new Mobile Grace Café. As she discussed how the board of directors came together and dreamed of this new branch of their mission, I thought, “What a
neat group to be a part of. I wonder if that might be something that I should look into someday.” Then, I
received an email newsletter shortly afterwards asking if recipients had ever considered serving on the board. It almost seemed like it was written just for me.

Jay Gish

Member at Large

I have been a Table Grace board member since the organization's founding, working mainly in areas of video/audio production, with some graphic design. My work life began with HuskerVision and KMTV3 in college. Now I continue to independently write and produce video and animation, and also teach and perform improvisational comedy. I support the work of Table Grace because you can see without question how it has helped people at the end of each day. Also, it is an innovator in bringing sustained improvement to the community, and a visible daily model on how to truly value both people and resources.

Kelly Johns

Member at Large

Top 5 Strengths – Positivity – Relator – Belief – Developer - Arranger

Director, Group Sales – National Group Sales – Omaha, NE

I have been a member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church for 12 years. I chose this church for the community, spiritual opportunities, small group opportunities, the messages by the Pastors and the opportunities for children.

I served 5 years as the Chair for the Stewardship Ministry Team I served 3 years on Council, 1 year as President and 2 years as Vice President

I was introduced to the mission first when I was invited by Denise Olson to attend the Annual fundraiser. It was the year a long-time patron read a poem he had written about the ministry.

To see and hear how he was moved by the generous people of Table Grace had me wanting to learn more. To feed all who are hungry and ask those to give what they can is a mission I believe is what God asks us to do. The music, spirituality and giving of time, talent and treasures draws me to this mission.

I have one son who is 21 years old and attends UNO. He is my gift from God..

Rev. Christopher J. Hawkins

Member at Large

Table Grace Café has been an important part of the outreach ministry of our congregation for several years. I have known Simone and Matt and their family since 2013 when I received a call to be Lead Pastor at Morning Star. Simone was our Director of Contemporary Music and is now helping to lead our overall music ministry during
these challenging pandemic times. Matt and their daughters, Hope and Alexandra have been an important part of our music ministry as well, giving of their time and talents during worship.
As a result of our partnership in ministry with Table Grace, it has been a joy to witness an important expression of the church grow through these past few years. Table
Grace is not only living the Gospel in its mission to nourish hungry bodies and souls, it is inspiring congregations and ministry partners around our community and the Nebraska Synod, ELCA. Table Grace is expanding our understanding of what it means to love our
neighbor and teaching us what it means to be the church in our community. Both my colleague, Pr. Glenn Schacht and I have helped to lead Word and Sacrament ministry at the café and will continue to do so.

Vanessa Schmidt

Member at Large

CPA, CHFP, MBA Client Services Manager Vanessa has worked extensively in the healthcare and not-for-profit industries since joining the firm in 2012. She received her Masters of Business Administration from Southwest Minnesota State University and graduated with Magna Cum Laude from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics with a minor in Accounting. Vanessa has experience in providing auditing and accounting services to a variety of governmental, manufacturing, professional, and not-for-profit organizations as well as audits of employee benefits plans. Vanessa has been instrumental in all phases of the audit, accounting and consultation processes associated with these types of entities. Vanessa is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accounts. Vanessa is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and is active in civic organizations, including serving as Treasurer on the Board of South Dakota State University Alumni Association, Omaha Chapter.

D. Kevin Williams

Member at Large

D. Kevin Williams has been developing his professional and instructional craft in the dramatic arts for over 35 years and is excited to embark on a new journey with the Union in Tell Martha Not To Moan. His performance credits range from local and regional commercial appearances at 12 years old, to performing radio and television voice overs. Most notably of these are the Emmy nominated children’s series "Liberty’s Kids", the Nebraska and North Carolina Shakespeare Festivals and more recently, the film "For Love of Amy" and then blessed to tour with the National Broadway Company of " The Color Purple." Of late, D. Kevin has provided drama workshops for the Love’s Jazz and Arts Center while also performing with the African Culture Connection and under the auspices of God’s Deliverance Ministries, singing with Thee Amigos and God’s Deliverance Singers, having released their debut CD. He is also on the artist in schools and communities (AiSC) roster with the Nebraska Arts Council and is one of the voice-over actors for Nebraska Furniture Mart. D. Kevin is a native of Omaha, NE. God has blessed him with 5 children and 6 grandchildren and to utilize his gifts in his chosen career path.

Thomas Bentley

Member at Large

Tom serves as a Board Member at large for Table Grace Ministries who readily recognized something special in how lives are touched through dignity and kindness over the sharing of a meal at the Cafe. Bentley studied at the University of Nebraska College of Architecture and has been in professional practice for over 20 years. He is a landscape architect.. To find work-life balance, Tom can otherwise be found in the wood shop making sawdust or sauntering down a trail with his wife Mel and their rowdy Coonhounds.

Eulish Moore

Member at Large

My joy is with reaching out to those in need. Table Grace allows me to continue to use knowledge and spiritual tools that I have obtained to work towards that goal. Luke 4:18 Work history: Retired USAF, April 1986 20yrs, Substance Abuse Counselor/Director-Midlands Hosp 86-95, Rainbow of Hope Counseling/Owner 1995-2011, Veterans Affairs/Homeless Outreach Coord 2000-2005, New Visions Homeless Program/Veterans 2012-2021 Volunteer work: Metro Comm College – Advisory Board, MADD – Board of Directors, Bellevue Mayors Commission for Drug Prevention and Education, Heart Whisperer/UNMC, Ordained Minister/Salem Baptist Church, Board of Directors, New Visions Homeless Services, Council Bluffs. 

Programs of TGM

Information on our programs. 

Cafe

2011

Table Grace Café affordably offers healthier meals than many quick-dine cafés, making it the feel-good lunch destination in Omaha. The menu for the Café fluctuates based on food donations from Whole Foods, farmer's markets, and others but primarily serves soup, salad, and pizza that best utilizes the food donations and serves as a simple lunch café downtown.

Volunteer

Helping out

Volunteer experiences for people and mission teams from all over Nebraska are often an eye opening experience in systems of poverty. Volunteers work with, serve, and are served by the community so that everyone walks away with understanding and empathy for each person that experiences life in various socio-economic statuses, which is different from simply “cooking meals for those poor people over there”.

10- Day Job Training

Teaching people “to fish.”

10- Day Job Training teaches people “to fish.” The Café utilizes its environment as basic job readiness programming. This model is based on the job programming Chef Matt Weber experienced at he Natural Gourmet Cooking School and is similar to technical colleges, but modified for people who have difficulty maintaining entry level employment or who have dropped out of the workforce for so long that they need a stepping stone into entry level jobs. The focus is on attendance, appropriate appearance, skills, workplace communication, and customer service skills. 

 Fellowship programs

Music with a Mission & Open Faith Discussion

* Music with a Mission plays once a week with patrons bringing their musical talents to share with everyone. With music in a small environment, emotional connections are made between the artists and patrons, much like coffee house and open-mic experiences.  Open Faith Discussion brings people from all walks of life, faiths, and without faith that come for open, no-strings-attached dialogue once a week. This gathering around a common table to share a meal and the journey of life offers a support group for whoever walks in the door on any given day to truly be a part of a welcoming group of fellow patrons. This assists in building compassion, life skills, fellowship and support for a community that may otherwise be facing life alone. 

Catering

For a cause

Reserve a dinner at Table Grace Cafe for 10-30 people, or we will come to you with a menu of your choice. Just give us a call and we'll be happy to work out all the details for your event. We've done everything from women's and corporate luncheons to hors d'oeuvres parties to brunches and more! Whatever your event, Table Grace will work with you to accommodate your catering needs. And best of all, by choosing Table Grace, you'll be helping us continue our mission in downtown Omaha of 'Nourishing Hungry Bodies and Souls'.
Need musical entertainment? Our band, 'Simone G. Weber' can provide inspirational music and programming that will inspire you and your guests.
Rates vary according to the details of each event, please call to inquire. Email: info@tablegracecafe.com Call: 402.965.1276

Food Truck

Nourishing Hungry Bodies and Souls 
Through Mobility

The operation of a food truck is expected to run in general congruence with the operations of the Café’s current activities. This includes ordering, receiving, food prep, and administrative functions. It is recognized that additional staff time will need to be added to certain positions.