Moe’s Table keeps a father’s legacy alive by feeding hundreds in Battle Creek

Editor’s note: This story is part of Southwest Michigan Second Wave’s On the Ground Battle Creek series. Photos taken by John Grap.

BATTLE CREEK, MI — Moises Olsen always made sure that there was a seat at his family’s table for anyone who needed food, says his wife, Stacey.

In July of 2024, Olsen passed away, but his legacy of helping others in his hometown of Battle Creek lives on through his four daughters. Together, they founded a nonprofit called Moe’s Table to honor their father and continue his commitment to ensure that there is always a seat at the table for a hot meal. They are waiting on final paperwork before they have official nonprofit status, which will enable them to apply for larger donations and expand the work already completed.

Named for her husband, Stacey Olsen says, “He was always somebody who gave back to the community. He believed in where you lived is where you nurture. He would always say, ‘If you needed food, you have a place at our table.’”

That “table” has since changed locations to accommodate more than 200 people who are fed a homemade meal every Sunday at the Haven of Rest Ministries.

Two of the Olsen’s daughters, Gabrielle Blake and Savannah Olsen, both of whom live in Battle Creek, do the shopping and meal prep. Their sister, Madison Lydy, drives up from her home in Indiana every other week to help them with the serving of meals. Another sister, Alexa Dietz, whom Stacey Olsen calls her “bonus daughter,” carries on her father’s legacy by giving back to her community in Wisconsin, where she lives.

The sisters didn’t discuss the establishment of Moe’s Table with their mother until they were ready to serve that first meal.

“They did not mention anything to me until a week before they first served,” Stacey Olsen says.

Her reaction: “I cried, but it wasn’t surprising because that’s who they are and what they do.”

“We wanted to do something to honor our dad, and we couldn’t think of anything that would be better than giving back to the community. He would always help random people he encountered,” Savannah Olsen says.

A Project Manager at the Hart Dole Inouye Federal Center, Moises Olsen was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. An orphan, he was adopted at six weeks of age by Sally Olsen, who dedicated her life to caring for the orphans and prisoners of Puerto Rico until her passing in 2006, according to his obituary.

“Moises followed in the footsteps of his mom,” according to the remembrance.

Every Sunday morning since Moe’s Table began in late October, Blake and her sister, Savannah, head to Sam’s Club, where they purchase food for that day’s meal using their own money and financial contributions made by community members. They also receive donations of food from various businesses and are the focus of a “round up” initiative at Biggby Coffee’s Columbia Avenue location.

With food in hand, the sisters head to the Haven to prep and cook.

The meals include a main dish with vegetables, rolls or bread, fruit, and a sweet treat, Savannah Olsen says.

“Our first week, Olive Garden donated lasagna and spaghetti for the Haven’s Women’s Life Recovery Program (WLRP) clients, and we made White Chicken Chili for the men at their Men’s Shelter. We’ve also done barbecue pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and a ham and bean soup,” she says. “We always ask if they have a favorite food that they’d like us to make. Obviously, their choices are much more limited when we’re not there, so we do like to make something special for them.”

The Olsen sisters and occasional volunteers are essentially serving individual clients, some of whom have children with them, in the different programs offered by The Haven. When not caring for grandchildren, their mother has helped out by delivering food to the WLRP, which is housed on North Capital Avenue.

To gauge how much food to prepare, Blake and Savannah Olsen typically use numbers from the previous week and weather conditions.

“If we served 160 the week before and the temperatures were below 30 degrees, which kicks in the Haven’s open door policy, we’ll add 50 (servings) to account for the cold weather,” Savannah Olsen says. “When we first arrive, we get numbers from Dee, who manages the kitchen.”

Any food that is left is distributed in the downtown area. The sisters let people know where they’ll be when they’re done serving at The Haven. Their day usually ends sometime after 7 p.m.

“We do see a lot of women walking around waiting for a space at the WLRP. We try to make the rounds downtown. If we don’t see anybody, we offer the leftovers to the police department,” says Savannah Olsen.

A deep freezer at their mother’s house is used to store food items like leftover buns.

In addition to food, Moe’s Table also distributes donated hats, gloves, socks, and blankets that the sisters purchase when they find them on sale at Sam’s Club.

The most challenging part of the work for the sisters is seeing the people and the conditions they’re in and not being able to fully understand what it’s like be homeless.

“We feed people that can’t go inside and have a warm shelter. It’s hard to see in the colder months when men and women are outside wrapped up in blankets or sleeping bags,” Savannah Olsen says.

Those who stay in The Haven have their own challenges, top of mind for her being a lack of privacy, something she does not take for granted.

“I wish I could say I’m surprised by the number of people in need,” Stacey Olsen says of what she sees. “I’m not, and it breaks my heart, but it’s amazing what my girls are doing to support their community.”

For more information about Moe’s Table or to donate, visit their Facebook page.