Common Table Raised Funds for Manhattan Meal Program

The Match for Meals campaign secured nearly $26,000 in community donations to support local food services.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Philanthropy

Bold vector editorial illustration of a ceramic bowl filled with fresh vegetables, representing a successful community food program fundraiser. — The Match for Meals campaign raised nearly $26,000 for Manhattan-based Common Table, bolstered by a $10,000 gift from the Dillingham family. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Match for Meals campaign, which concluded on September 27, 2026, successfully raised nearly $26,000 for the Manhattan organization Common Table. More than 100 donors contributed to the effort, which included a $10,000 matching gift from Dana Dillingham and her family.

Why it matters

The funds provide essential support for Common Table to serve meals and maintain a welcoming space for Manhattan residents in need. The initiative helps the organization meet rising demand as it aims to serve a record number of meals this year.

Common Table served 23,500 meals in both 2023 and 2024, followed by nearly 26,000 meals in 2025. The organization projects it will serve over 30,000 meals by the end of 2026.

The players

Common Table

This Manhattan organization provides meals and a welcoming environment for community members in need.

Dana Dillingham

A donor who participated in the campaign by providing a matching gift of up to $10,000 alongside her family.

The details

The campaign ran for one week and utilized matching donations to incentivize public contributions. These funds are vital for sustaining operations at the Manhattan facility, which has seen steady growth in the number of meals provided annually.

Common Table served 23,500 meals during the 2023 calendar year.
The organization provided 23,500 meals throughout 2024.
Nearly 26,000 meals were served by the organization in 2025.
The Match for Meals campaign took place from September 21 through September 27, 2026.
Common Table is projected to serve over 30,000 meals in 2026.

Market Landscape

Local non-profits are increasingly relying on community-led matching campaigns to bridge the financial gaps created by rising demand for food assistance. This shift mirrors a broader trend where organizations scale their outreach to meet record-high service projections in urban centers.

The success of this campaign ensures that Common Table can maintain its service levels for residents facing food insecurity in the Manhattan area. Donors and community members can expect continued operations as the organization works toward its 30,000-meal goal for the year.

The takeaway

Community-based matching programs remain a highly effective tool for small organizations to amplify individual contributions. Residents looking to support local initiatives can maximize their impact by participating during these specific window-based campaigns.