From Humble Beginnings
In 2002, The Upper Room Dining Hall began in a small church kitchen with a simple idea: make sure no one in our community goes hungry. What started as a grassroots effort—neighbors helping neighbors—quickly became something more. A place where people could not only find a meal, but also feel welcomed, seen, and cared for.
Growing With Purpose
Over the years, that small kitchen effort grew into a vital community resource. In 2015, The Upper Room officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, strengthening our ability to serve and expand. What has never changed is the heart behind the work—a deep commitment to showing up for those who need it most.
Meeting a Growing Need
This last year we were able to serve more than 125,000 hot meals. For many, these meals are not just food—they are consistency, comfort, and connection. Every plate served is a reminder that someone cares.
Meeting People Where They Are
We know that not everyone can reach us. Transportation challenges and limited access to public transit can leave many without options. That’s why we’ve expanded beyond our walls with our new Food Truck.
Through our mobile meal program, we bring food directly to individuals in outlying and underserved areas—meeting people where they are, ensuring that distance is never a barrier to a warm meal and a human connection.
More Than a Meal
What began as a meal program has grown into something much deeper. Every interaction is an opportunity to offer dignity, compassion, and hope. Whether someone visits us in person or connects with us through our outreach, they are met with kindness and respect.
From a church kitchen to a community lifeline, The Upper Room Dining Hall continues to grow—because the need is real, and so is the compassion that fuels this work every day.
Motivated by love and grace, our mission is to provide meals and services to members of our community living under the strain of poverty, treating all guests with dignity and compassion.
The Upper Room relies solely on generous donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations to provide our many services to those in need.
Daily Hot Meals: For many individuals, our daily hot meals are a lifeline, providing nourishment and a sense of comfort. Your donations ensure that we can sustain this fundamental service and meet the nutritional needs of those who rely on us.
Laundry Services: Clean clothing is a basic necessity that often becomes a luxury for individuals experiencing homelessness. Your support allows us to operate our laundry facilities, ensuring that our guests have access to clean clothes and can maintain their dignity.
Showers and Personal Hygiene: Access to showers and personal hygiene items is crucial for maintaining health and well-being. Your donations enable us to provide clean and safe shower facilities, along with essential hygiene products such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and sanitary supplies.
Navigation Services: Navigating the complex web of social services and resources can be overwhelming for our guests. Your support is helping individuals connect with housing assistance, job opportunities, healthcare providers, and other essential resources.
Tents and Sleeping Bags: In the absence of stable housing, tents and sleeping bags provide crucial protection from the elements and a sense of security. Your contributions allow us to provide these essential items to individuals who are living on the streets or in temporary shelters.
At The Upper Room, we are committed to fostering an environment where equity, diversity, and inclusion are integral to our mission and values. We believe that all individuals should be treated with dignity and respect, and that everyone deserves equal access to opportunities, resources, and support while ensuring that all individuals feel valued, respected, and included in every aspect of our organization.
Promoting fairness and justice by ensuring equitable access to our programs, services, and opportunities.
We hold ourselves accountable, we seek to listen, learn, and adapt to better serve the diverse needs of those we support.
Through our commitment to equity, we aim to create a stronger, more vibrant community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Organization name
UPPER ROOM DINING HALL
2002
Mission Category
Human Services
Operating Budget
$250,001-$500,000
Organization Need
Funding: Unrestricted, In-Kind Donations, Board Members
Demographics Served
Low-income individuals/families, Homeless/Underhoused/Unhoused, General population
Local Counties Served
El Dorado
Address
PO BOX 484El Dorado County, CA, US