Martha's Table

Recent figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau show that one out of every seven Americans is below the current poverty level. While various programs are often launched (some to succeed, some to fail; none able to eradicate poverty), it is usually the intense local efforts which make a difference (yet are rarely chronicled). One such success story is Martha's Table, the name of an operation which runs two vans in Washington , D.C. which feeds thousands. Written and directed by Alan Jabez, the film follows the day-to-day operations of this huge, and largely volunteer, undertaking; interviewing both the volunteers and the homeless who depend on the food van for what is often their only meal of the day. Neither sentimental, nor unduly optimistic, Martha's Table is a realistic look at an appalling social problem, and one determined effort to help lessen it. Recommended for larger public and school libraries. (See DALAI LAMA for availability).