Gather to Grow’s Community Meals: Evenings of Ease & Belonging

In the wake of tragedy, sometimes the simplest gestures are the most powerful.

Following the October 2023 mass shooting, the team at Gather to Grow wanted to provide our community with space to reconnect, to grieve, and to begin healing. So they turned to a tried and true way we support each other in times of need: sharing a meal.

With support from a Healthy Neighborhoods $4,900 mini grant, Gather to Grow re-launched their Community Meals. Similar gatherings had been a vibrant part of the Tree Streets Neighborhood before the pandemic.

Each month, Gather to Grow opens their doors, welcoming neighbors, volunteers, and staff to sit together, share a meal, and simply spend time with one another. The format is simple - no agenda, no speeches, only cooking and sharing nourishing food in a safe, welcoming space.

And like so much of Gather to Grow’s work throughout our community, behind the simplicity of the program there is intentional work to make sure the meals are accessible and anyone who wants one feels welcome.

The Community Meals are designed to be accessible to everyone, including those who may not feel comfortable in large groups. Guests can choose to sit and share conversation or take meals home to their families. The meals are thoughtfully crafted to reflect Lewiston’s cultural diversity, offering familiar flavors and foods that honor the many communities who call the Tree Streets neighborhood home. Translating outreach into multiple languages, sourcing culturally important foods, and inviting community chefs to highlight recipes from around the world helps to ensure that everyone feels seen and included.

The Healthy Neighborhoods’ mini grant also supported Gather to Grow’s participation in the Gateway to Opportunity (G2O) youth leadership program. Local teens helped design and lead one of the monthly meals by harvesting vegetables from community gardens, planning recipes, and serving their neighbors.

These shared meals offer an evening of ease, a sense of belonging, and a reminder that healing doesn’t always require grand gestures — sometimes, it’s as simple as pulling up a chair, breaking bread, and remembering that none of us are alone.