In a community often defined by its beauty and comfort, some of the most meaningful work happens quietly — around a table where everyone is welcome. For Hidden Lake resident Geri Gheesling, that table is found at The Ivy Table — Livingston County’s first pay-it-forward café and a nonprofit rooted in dignity, hospitality, and community connection.

Geri has been volunteering with The Ivy Table since May 2025, after discovering the opportunity through a volunteer orientation she found online. What began as a simple way to give back quickly became something much deeper. “Without hesitation, it’s the people,” Geri said. “I worked in the airline industry for 35 years, helping people every day. This opportunity came very naturally to me. That experience has definitely been an asset in joining The Ivy Table team.”

She’s not alone. Fellow Hidden Lake neighbor Misiel, a Realtor with Griffith Realty and a valued Stroll Hidden Lake sponsor, also gives her time at The Ivy Table — offering another powerful example of how neighbors are stepping up to serve. “As a recent empty nester, it gives me a meaningful way to stay connected and give back to my community,” Misiel shared. “I enjoy being around people, and it’s fulfilling to spend my time supporting others.”

Misiel began volunteering in October 2025 and quickly found that there’s a role for everyone. From helping in the kitchen and garden to supporting the café and assisting with cleaning, she’s seen firsthand how welcoming and accessible the experience is. “The Ivy Table truly welcomes everyone, no matter their background or status,” she said. “That openness is what makes it so special.”

Founded in 2022 by Jessica Smokovitz, along with Barb Peltz and Sandy Morgan, The Ivy Table grew from nearly a decade of community meals known as ComeUnity Dinners. Today, it operates out of a beautifully restored space in Brighton, offering high-quality meals with optional pricing — guests pay what they can, or pay it forward to cover the cost of someone else’s meal. “At any given time, you can’t tell who is there to be blessed and who is there to be a blessing,” said Smokovitz, co-founder and executive director. “That’s the beauty of it.”

Through the quiet, pay-it-forward work of neighbors like Geri Gheesling and Misiel Conlen, The Ivy Table is bringing dignity, connection, and nourishment to Livingston County—showing how compassion shared around a welcoming table can change lives, one meal at a time.

The nonprofit was created in response to a hidden but significant issue: food insecurity in Livingston County. Despite the area’s affluence, roughly one in 10 residents struggles with access to enough nutritious food, and nearly half do not qualify for government assistance. “We wanted to create dignified, discreet ways to get food into the hands of those who need it,” Smokovitz said. “Our café isn’t just about meals — it’s about gratitude, generosity, and bringing the community together.”

That spirit is evident in the many ways The Ivy Table extends care beyond the café walls. Free Meal Fridges stocked with ready-to-eat meals are placed throughout the county, allowing anyone to take food without shame. The organization also repurposes surplus food to reduce waste and provide nourishment where it’s needed most.

For Geri, volunteering means doing whatever needs to be done — from serving and dishwashing to gardening, cleaning, and supporting special events. “There are so many ways to help,” she said. “With the Homebase app, picking up shifts is easy, and you immediately feel like part of the team.” One moment that left a lasting impression on Geri happened during a breakfast shift. “I didn’t realize at first that when guests receive a meal, they can also pick up groceries packed by the staff,” she said. “It’s brilliant. It’s thoughtful. It’s dignity in action.”

Smokovitz sees moments like these daily. One that stands out involved a young mother and her three children who had recently experienced homelessness. “We fed them, listened to their story, sent them home with groceries, and just tried to love on them,” she said. “She later told us she wanted to find a way to pay it forward — even offering to make activity bags for kids waiting for meals. It was a perfect example of how gratitude leads to generosity.”

The Ivy Table’s impact extends globally as well, supporting families in Thailand through food distributions, community meals, and outreach to refugee children along the Myanmar border.

Both Geri and Misiel say the experience reflects what they love most about living in Hidden Lake — a community where people genuinely care. “We moved here after a Sunday drive brought us west,” Geri said. “We loved the community right away.” Misiel echoed that sentiment. “Being part of this publication and volunteering keeps me actively connected with my community,” she said.

And now, through The Ivy Table, that sense of connection is extended far beyond the neighborhood — one meal, one conversation, and one act of kindness at a time. Those interested in learning more or getting involved can find volunteer opportunities and monthly events at theivytable.org, or experience pay-it-forward dining in person at 10180 E. Grand River Ave., Brighton.