Stories of Hope

every story is different

But each one began with a simple referral from a friend or co-worker because of a crisis. Big Table was able to respond directly and personally - to avert the crisis and provide some semblance of normalcy in their lives. Our involvement doesn't end when the crisis ends. We also provide long-term coaching and mentoring, fostering enduring relationships and accountability. A lasting story of hope.

San Diego

RESTORED – INSIDE AND OUT

Thanks to Big Table, they have changed my life for the better. I am grateful to be blessed with all they have been doing for my family and me.

— Keith

Keith is a dishwasher and porter at a local restaurant. When he first connected with Big Table in 2023, he was navigating a season of deep instability – including a time of living in his car. What followed wasn’t a single moment of help, but a steady, trusted relationship built over several years.

We were honored to walk closely alongside Keith, responding to both urgent and practical needs. Support looked like bus passes so he could get to work and appointments, grocery gift cards to ease food insecurity for his family, covering cellular fees, new beds for comfort and rest, and rental assistance during a critical transition. We also encouraged him through the long and intentional process of breaking chains of addiction in his life.

But beyond these critical needs, there was also a deeper, long-standing challenge Keith had carried for years. For more than a decade, he lived without teeth after losing them while in prison – a daily reality that impacted his health, confidence, and ability to fully engage with others. Thanks to a generous care partner, Cura Smiles, he was able to receive new teeth, restoring not only his smile, but a sense of dignity he hadn’t felt in years.

Through it all, Big Table has been in his corner. Today, Keith and his family are in stable housing and he has been sober now for over 200 days – a powerful reminder that consistent, relational support can lead to lasting transformation and real hope. Thank you for being a part of this incredible story.

Nashville

The turning point for Tiyanna

I’ve been through a lot, but Big Table helped me keep going. I’m in a better place now.

— Tiyanna

When Tiyanna was first referred to Big Table two years ago, she was doing everything she could to stay afloat after a hit-and-run accident left her car barely drivable. She was adding antifreeze every day just to get to work. Together with a trusted mechanic — and with Tiyanna contributing what she could — we covered the remaining repairs so she could drive safely again. That repair became a turning point. With reliable transportation, she could focus on her next goal: finding a place of her own. We walked alongside her, sharing apartment options and encouraging her toward independence.

Soon after moving, more setbacks followed — a bedbug-infested mattress, unexpected utility debt from a former roommate, and missed work due to illness. Building a life in Nashville without much support was overwhelming her. Because we had built trust, Tiyanna reached out again. Big Table helped her apply for utility assistance, replace her mattress, and navigate each obstacle with steady encouragement.

Because of you, she had a safety net. Today, she’s in a stable apartment, her car is running well, and she feels hopeful about the future.

Spokane

Hope for a Better Life

We have definitely come up in the world since you first met us. Thank you for your support, your love and your faith in us when we had little else going for us!

— Peter & Jessica

We first met Peter and Jessica when they were in desperate need of baby supplies. And since, we’ve walked alongside them through job loss, a post-felony job search, eviction notices, waves of debt, and addiction battles. Our 7-year lifeline of support and encouragement has helped change the trajectory of their lives. “It’s not even the same world,” Peter and Jessica tell us. “It’s not even the same life.”