Table Grace Ministries

Matt Weber

COO, Director, Chef

Chef Matt Weber grew up in his Grandmother's kitchen. He took his love of food and cooking with him in 2002 when he followed his Wife Simone to New York City where he attended Culinary School at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Food and Healing. He interned at the James Beard House and Aquavit before taking a Garde Manger position at Candle 79 on the upper east Side of Manhattan. In 2005 Simone and Matt returned to Nebraska to start a family. After a short time at Dish restaurant in Lincoln, Matt took the Executive Chef position at Carol Joy Holling Camp, conference and retreat center (NLOM) in Ashland, NE. Matt co-founded Table Grace ministries in 2008 and opened Table Grace Cafe in 2011. In addition to being the Chef of Table Grace, Matt serves as the Executive Director of Table Grace Ministries. In partnership with Family First Chiropractic, Matt teaches healthy cooking workshops at Natural Grocers several times a year. Matt also leads the catering service of Table Grace Cafe. He also enjoys playing music with Simone at Table Grace, Morningstar Lutheran Church, and beyond. "Table Grace is able to nourish hungry bodies and souls because we facilitate an environment that encourages a give-give approach to hunger outreach. We bridge the socioeconomic divide. We are a venue where authentic relationships, mutual respect, and an all-around healthy environment help people to be the best versions of themselves every day and take that positive energy with them into the community."

Simone Weber

CEO, Musical Missionary

Simone Weber co-founded Table Grace Ministries in 2008 with her husband Matt and has served as Table Grace’s COO since 2014. Simone’s calling and vision is in music, ministry, hunger outreach and development. She obtained her BME degree and ESL endorsement from UNL with highest honors in 2002. While in college, she worked at Hudson Bay company as a professional fundraiser and traveled on several oversees mission trips to serve in various third world countries. She then went on to sing professionally, teach ESL and work in many restaurants in New York City. In 2005 she returned to Nebraska and worked fulltime as First Lutheran Church’s Director of Music Ministries until 2013. Simone is a Nashville recorded singer and songwriter who has created seven CDs, and part of a musical to date. She has a passion for taking the church outside of the church walls and using music as a vehicle to bring people together, raise funds for Table Grace and inspire all people to use their talents to serve one another. She currently also serves as worship leader at Morning Star Lutheran Church in Omaha.

Rob Sauer

Treasurer

Rob Sauer first met Matt and Simone when they came for a music visit to St. Paul’s Lutheran in Millard. He was then and continues to be inspired by their strong confidence in their faith to lead them to their true calling. His wife Karla and he began financially supporting table grace pretty well since the start of the organization.
He believes in being thankful for what gifts he has. He believes in sharing those gifts and lending a hand to those less fortunate. He believes a good meal is a great place to start. He believes that preparing and serving a meal, if done well, can show someone empathy and dignity.
Rob is a versatile, hands on and results oriented operational and financial manager. He has held positions as General Manager, CFO, Director of Pricing, Integration Manager, and more. 

Dan Allan

Chair

I have called the Omaha community home for 25+ years and am currently serving as a Technology Director at CSG Systems. I am a firm believer that for-profit and non-profit organizations working together helps to support a healthy and strong community. Additionally, the non-profits that have the potential to help support patrons beyond transactional assistance and on a path to better life are even more near and dear to me. The mission of Table Grace is to "Nourish Hungry Bodies and Souls". The "and Souls" is what makes this non-profit organization very special to me. I am humbled to work alongside equally passionate founders, board members and Table Grace staff to serve the Omaha community.

Andrew Karrmann

Vice Chair

The thing that moves me most about Table Grace Ministries is how you invest in the entire person. The mission isn’t simply to get a few warm meals on a plate for whoever happens to walk by that day. It’s about serving the whole person, body and soul. Table Grace hasn’t confined itself to small geographical footprint, but through forward thinking has shared its mission beyond the Omaha metro area. Starting with my decade of work in Youth Ministry and continuing with my time over the last few years as a Financial Associate with Thrivent Financial, I have sought out ministry partnerships which exemplify God’s Grace. I have focused my career on helping people & organizations maximize their God-given gifts. I have always had a strategic outlook and have focused my efforts on building sustainable and repeatable systems which encourage organic growth within an organization through leveraging areas of strength to creatively shore up areas of weakness. I hope that my focus on long-term sustainable growth will be a voice which pushes Table Grace beyond its comfort zone so that together we can grow and serve more bodies and souls in the Omaha area and beyond.

Lauri Jayne

Secretary

Lauri Jayne has been a board member with TGM since it's early days both when living in Nebraska and while out-of-state. She has enjoyed seeing the evolution and progress along the way and hopes to continue to support Table Grace well in the future. She is currently serving as the board secretary. Lauri has a passion for advocating for and helping undeserved and disadvantaged populations. She strives to be the change she wants to see in the world.

Lauri's professional experience includes work in the fields of Progressive Youth Ministry, Campus Ministry, Health Care, Social Work, Program Management, Development, Outdoor Recreation, Administrative Roles, Human Services, Disability Services, and Staff/Client Management.

In her personal life, Lauri endeavors to love people big and she sees life as an adventure. Sometimes there are mountain top experiences and sometimes there are struggles in the valley but all of it is beautiful and worth being present for and growing in. Lauri loves just about anything outdoors, particularly backpacking, hiking, climbing, skiing, sports, meditation, and paddling. She enjoys reading and learning, podcasts, movies, and concerts. Spending time with loved ones around delicious food and great wine is a perfect evening to her. Her favorite sidekick and adventure buddy is an Irishgoldendoodle named Denali. She currently lives in Omaha, NE with her fiance, Erin, and 3 kiddos. Although someday, she ultimately hopes to be back to the PNW near Bend, Oregon tucked in the high desert surrounded by the majestic Cascade Mountain Range and volcanic wonders.

James Pandis

Member at Large

As a servant of Christ, it is important for me to spend as much time as I can, volunteering and helping people in need. Serving in the ministry and non-profit sectors are my preference, because that is where I have been able to reach and help the most amount of people. Growing
up in a family restaurant acclimated me to the things that come with the food service industry, and served as a double function because I was in charge of the restaurant workforce from a young age. Being a troubled teen and running with bad crowds helped me to see a darker side
of humanity that my eyes wouldn't have been open to otherwise. The positive in that, is that it helped prepare me to be a better behavioral therapist. Working at Lasting Hope Recovery Center for many years, I was able to connect with more of the patients because of my time working and living with troubled people. These things, mixed with being badly bullied as a child and early teen, helped to give me a level of sensitivity and compassion that allows me to better serve a community of people in need. Table Grace is the culmination of every reason that I
started volunteering. Helping the community to grow through food, music, and ministry is the trifecta of what I want to give my time and energy to. I believe in Matt and Simone. I believe in their mission of helping the community, I trust in their mission, and I think highly of them as
people. The main things that I bring to the board are my availability, insight, and talents. I make time to be available to volunteer and play music at the cafe, and in other ways as needed. Having a detailed marketing background, I can provide useful insight on advertising and
promotional strategies. Having a strong communication background, I can interact with the board members and work with them to help fill in the areas that might be missing. My background in music has already allowed me to serve the cafe by playing and lifting the spirits of the patrons. I want to be there with you guys and I want to help the organization to reach its full potential.

D. Kevin Williams

Member at Large

D. Kevin Williams has been developing his professional and instructional craft in the dramatic arts for over 35 years and is excited to embark on a new journey with the Union in Tell Martha Not To Moan. His performance credits range from local and regional commercial appearances at 12 years old, to performing radio and television voice overs. Most notably of these are the Emmy nominated children’s series "Liberty’s Kids", the Nebraska and North Carolina Shakespeare Festivals and more recently, the film "For Love of Amy" and then blessed to tour with the National Broadway Company of " The Color Purple." Of late, D. Kevin has provided drama workshops for the Love’s Jazz and Arts Center while also performing with the African Culture Connection and under the auspices of God’s Deliverance Ministries, singing with Thee Amigos and God’s Deliverance Singers, having released their debut CD. He is also on the artist in schools and communities (AiSC) roster with the Nebraska Arts Council and is one of the voice-over actors for Nebraska Furniture Mart. D. Kevin is a native of Omaha, NE. God has blessed him with 5 children and 6 grandchildren and to utilize his gifts in his chosen career path.

Thomas Bentley

Member at Large

Tom serves as a Board Member at large for Table Grace Ministries who readily recognized something special in how lives are touched through dignity and kindness over the sharing of a meal at the Cafe. Bentley studied at the University of Nebraska College of Architecture and has been in professional practice for over 20 years. He is a landscape architect.. To find work-life balance, Tom can otherwise be found in the wood shop making sawdust or sauntering down a trail with his wife Mel and their rowdy Coonhounds.

Diana Eager

Member at Large

I grew up in Louisville, NE where each of my parents were business owners; my mom owned a restaurant throughout my youth. I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse. Upon
graduation, I returned to Nebraska to start my career and to raise a family.

My professional career began as the Human Resource Director for Donnelley Marketing in Lincoln. I was promoted to Regional Human Resource Director with six facilities reporting to me for the Human Resource function.

Eventually, raising my three daughters, Erin, Emily, and Ellie became my second career, which I served with passion. They are now beautiful, successful, young ladies and my proudest accomplishment, along with the four grandchildren they have given me.

In my third career, I was the office manager for one of the Omana branches within the largest financial companies in the world, Edward Jones. I received many awards while serving in this capacity as my business philosophy has always been to serve the client to the best of my ability. In 2012, I was honored to be invited to become a partner in the firm. I retired from Edward Jones in 2022 after twenty years of service.

One of the volunteer positions that I have held throughout my lifetime is as a Kiwanian, winning Rookie Kiwanian of the Year for managing the backpack program in conjunction with the Kiwanis
Clubs and Lincoln Public Schools. I have served in many facets of my church such as on the Evangelism Committee, as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher for many years, as Sunday School Superintendent, as a choir member, as an usher, and as a Communion Assistant
which included taking communion to homebound parishioners. More recently, I served on the Foundation Board for First United Methodist Church of Omaha. Currently, I am ushering for the Omaha Performing Arts at The Holland Center and The Orpheum Theater. I have recently joined the League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha.

I am thrilled and honored to be a board member for the Table Grace Ministry. Being retired has allowed me the time and opportunity to volunteer in ways I couldn’t before. My empathy for
others and my desire to serve, drives my passion for being a part of the Table Grace team.

Kelly Johns

Member at Large

Top 5 Strengths – Positivity – Relator – Belief – Developer - Arranger

Director, Group Sales – National Group Sales – Omaha, NE

I have been a member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church for 12 years. I chose this church for the community, spiritual opportunities, small group opportunities, the messages by the Pastors and the opportunities for children.

I served 5 years as the Chair for the Stewardship Ministry Team I served 3 years on Council, 1 year as President and 2 years as Vice President

I was introduced to the mission first when I was invited by Denise Olson to attend the Annual fundraiser. It was the year a long-time patron read a poem he had written about the ministry.

To see and hear how he was moved by the generous people of Table Grace had me wanting to learn more. To feed all who are hungry and ask those to give what they can is a mission I believe is what God asks us to do. The music, spirituality and giving of time, talent and treasures draws me to this mission.

I have one son who is 21 years old and attends UNO. He is my gift from God..

Cafe

2011

Table Grace Café affordably offers healthier meals than many quick-dine cafés, making it the feel-good lunch destination in Omaha. The menu for the Café fluctuates based on food donations from Whole Foods, farmer's markets, and others but primarily serves soup, salad, and pizza that best utilizes the food donations and serves as a simple lunch café downtown.

Volunteer

Helping out

Volunteer experiences for people and mission teams from all over Nebraska are often an eye opening experience in systems of poverty. Volunteers work with, serve, and are served by the community so that everyone walks away with understanding and empathy for each person that experiences life in various socio-economic statuses, which is different from simply “cooking meals for those poor people over there”.

10- Day Job Training

Teaching people “to fish.”

10- Day Job Training teaches people “to fish.” The Café utilizes its environment as basic job readiness programming. This model is based on the job programming Chef Matt Weber experienced at he Natural Gourmet Cooking School and is similar to technical colleges, but modified for people who have difficulty maintaining entry level employment or who have dropped out of the workforce for so long that they need a stepping stone into entry level jobs. The focus is on attendance, appropriate appearance, skills, workplace communication, and customer service skills. 

 Fellowship programs

Music with a Mission & Open Faith Discussion

* Music with a Mission plays once a week with patrons bringing their musical talents to share with everyone. With music in a small environment, emotional connections are made between the artists and patrons, much like coffee house and open-mic experiences.  Open Faith Discussion brings people from all walks of life, faiths, and without faith that come for open, no-strings-attached dialogue once a week. This gathering around a common table to share a meal and the journey of life offers a support group for whoever walks in the door on any given day to truly be a part of a welcoming group of fellow patrons. This assists in building compassion, life skills, fellowship and support for a community that may otherwise be facing life alone. 

Catering

For a cause

Reserve a dinner at Table Grace Cafe for 10-30 people, or we will come to you with a menu of your choice. Just give us a call and we'll be happy to work out all the details for your event. We've done everything from women's and corporate luncheons to hors d'oeuvres parties to brunches and more! Whatever your event, Table Grace will work with you to accommodate your catering needs. And best of all, by choosing Table Grace, you'll be helping us continue our mission in downtown Omaha of 'Nourishing Hungry Bodies and Souls'.
Need musical entertainment? Our band, 'Simone G. Weber' can provide inspirational music and programming that will inspire you and your guests.
Rates vary according to the details of each event, please call to inquire. Email: info@tablegracecafe.com Call: 402.965.1276

Food Truck

Nourishing Hungry Bodies and Souls 

Through Mobility

The operation of a food truck is expected to run in general congruence with the operations of the Café’s current activities. This includes ordering, receiving, food prep, and administrative functions. It is recognized that additional staff time will need to be added to certain positions.