Mable's Table

In 2016, the Backpack Project was started by a foster mom who saw a way to help foster children while creating an event to teach other children about volunteerism. Growing from 50 volunteers and 150 backpacks to 150 volunteers and over 300 backpacks, the BackPack Project has grown to serve not on the foster children in our community, but also some of our homeless and most needy children, as well. Over the years, we have had some incredible partnerships with other non-profits to help make the event a reality. We are grateful to CASA of SoLa and Kiwanis Club of Lafayette for their support.

The foster mom who started the Backpack project also had the dream of creating a non-profit to help at-risk youth in the Lafayette community with a pop-up learning center concept. As this concept was developing, the pandemic began. From the resources gathered for Pop-Up Learning Centers, she created the Learning Fence. It took interactive activities, art, and learning to our neighborhoods for children and families confined by the pandemic. The Learning Fence continues to be a great way for children to get out and learn in their own communities. Pop-Up Learning Centers by Mable’s Table will teach elementary school age children through fun and interactive activities. For each Pop-Up Learning Center, the lesson will incorporate each of the 4 pillars: Language Arts, Health & Fitness, STEAM, and Growth Mindset.

Our three main initiatives are backpack project, the learning fence, and our pop-up learning centers. 

Backpack Project:

In 2016, this project was started by a foster mom who saw a way to help foster kids all while creating an event to teach other kids about volunteerism. Growing from 50 volunteers and 150 backpacks, to 150 volunteers and over 300 backpacks today, the Backpack Project by Mable’s Table serves not only the foster children in the Lafayette community, but also some of our homeless and most needy children as well. Over the years, we have had some incredible partnerships with other non-profits to help with the event.

Pop-up Learning Center:

Each Pop-Up Learning Center will focus on a one-hour lesson that teaches elementary school age children through fun and interactive activities. A lesson will incorporate each one of the 4 pillars: Language Arts, Health & Fitness, STEAM, and Growth Mindset. Each pillar has multiple lesson plans to choose from and each plan will have a “lesson in a box” format. Volunteers will be trained on the pillars and how to execute the lessons. We are currently working with community leaders to identify locations around Lafayette, LA that can host the 1-hour pop-up activity classes for elementary age children. If you have any areas of need and know of a location that would be interested in hosting a Pop-Up Learning Center by Mable’s Table, please let us know.

The Learning Fence: 

During the pandemic, you may have noticed a few of the “Learning Fences” around Lafayette. When the pandemic began, and everyone was confined to their homes, I saw this as a way for children to get out and learn in their own communities. The Learning Fence by Mable’s Table will continue to pop-up in neighborhoods and be a part of Mable’s Table initiatives