United Way of Kent County Launches “Full Table Initiative” to Strengthen Food Access Across the Community
United Way of Kent County (UWKC) is launching a bold new strategic direction focused on one essential issue: ensuring that every person in Kent County has reliable access to food.
Over the next three years, UWKC will lead the Full Table Initiative, a collaborative effort designed to strengthen the local food system through coordination, partnership, and long-term community investment. Rather than spreading resources across many disconnected efforts, UWKC is shifting toward a focused strategy that brings together nonprofits, food providers, farms, markets, health organizations, educational institutions, and community partners to address food insecurity in a more unified and effective way.
“Our goal is not to duplicate what others are already doing well,” said Maggie Thomas, Executive Director of United Way of Kent County. “Our role is to act as a connector and backbone organization, helping partners work together more effectively, identifying gaps, reducing duplication, and supporting innovative solutions that improve access to food across the county.”
The Full Table Initiative will focus on strengthening coordination between organizations while addressing barriers such as transportation, storage, distribution challenges, and access in underserved or harder-to-reach areas of Kent County.
Year One of the initiative will center on community listening, mapping existing services and gaps, and building partnerships that can create sustainable, measurable impact over time.
Partners involved in the initiative include local food pantries and providers, farms and markets, health and social service organizations, Washington College, and the Upper Shore Farm and Food Council.
UWKC says the initiative is designed not only to support families facing food insecurity, but also to strengthen the broader community and local economy.
“Food insecurity impacts workforce stability, family wellbeing, educational outcomes, and overall community health,” Thomas said. “A stronger food system creates a more resilient Kent County for everyone, including local businesses.”
UWKC is inviting businesses, organizations, and community members to become active partners in the initiative through financial support, sponsorships, employee engagement, volunteerism, and in-kind contributions such as transportation, logistics, storage, or professional expertise.
The organization emphasizes that the Full Table Initiative is intentionally data-driven, community-informed, and focused on systems change rather than short-term relief alone.
“This is about building something sustainable,” Thomas added. “We’re looking for partners who want to help create long-term solutions and ensure everyone in our community has a seat at the table.”
