From SvlFreeNews.com
2nd Annual Longest Table brings nearly 1,000 people together to share meal, good things
Last year, United Way Executive Director Brett Eckerman discovered the Longest Table concept. He engaged local sponsors and volunteers, and brought 500 people from diverse backgrounds together to share a meal.
This year’s event attracted nearly twice as many people.
This year’s participants completed “One Good Thing” placemats with a special blessing.
“We will be sharing these with the community to build gratitude,” Eckerman said. “This event helps break down those barriers and gets folks who do not know each other to talk and build bridges.”
United Way President Mariane Steele Clark kicked welcomed the crowd. “Tonight is all about sharing — sharing a meal, sharing a table and conversation,” she said.
Pastor Reginald Keitt: “All are welcome at the table. We believe this multi-cultural table is a representation of what your kingdom looks like,” he said. “We need to come together as brothers and sisters, and respect the dignity and the worth of every human being.”
Congregation Emanuel member Caity Gordon shared a Jewish prayer, followed First Baptist Senior Minister Nelson Granade, who said that although “we live in troubled times, there’s also hope.”
Eckerman next asked attendees to applaud “the sponsors who stepped up to see our community come together around a dinner table.” He especially thanked lead sponsor Cheney Brothers, who donated all the food and materials for the dinner.
Local Cheney Brothers President Rick Stapleton thanked everyone “for coming together to have a meal with your neighbors. Hopefully, there are some you don’t know and that you’ll have a chance to make new friends and meet new neighbors.”
Executive Director Elisa Crosswhite Connolly of G4G Ministry helped prepare the meal. “I want to thank every volunteer who has served today and yesterday.”
Mitchell Community College Vice President of Student Services, Porter Brannon, explained “We encourage every single person to share the blessings in their lives, and maybe you can be a blessing for someone at your table today.”
WAME’s Billy Buck Blevins served as emcee for the event, welcoming the crowd and setting the mood with great tunes.
BY DEBBIE PAGE
[email protected]
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From the Statesville Record & Landmark
Longest Table brought people together for friendship, food
While the theme was “One Good Thing,” many of those attending the second Longest Table Tuesday came up with more than one.
“ Everything was good, food was good – everything was good,” said Dianne Wilson. “Getting to meet a bunch of people.”
United Way of Iredell County, along with lead sponsor Cheney Brothers Inc., was behind the Longest Table, a chance for folks to share a free meal and to meet people from all walks of life.
This year’s event took place outside of the Signal Hill Mall with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m.; previously the event took place at Statesville High but was moved this year due to ongoing construction.
The event provided the community with a free meal to enjoy with their neighbors of all income levels, ethnicities, sexual orientation and beliefs to share a table and potentially build friendships.
Following up on the theme of “One Good Thing”, each of those at the approximately 108 tables were encouraged to share something positive that has happened to them in the last several days.
The “One Good Thing” could be shared by writing it down on a big piece of paper, there is then an opportunity to get your photo taken with your “One Good Thing” to be shared on Facebook.
The event included an estimate of 900 community participants, host and volunteers to keep the event moving smoothly.
Each table has a host which encouraged organic conversation between strangers but before diving into deep conversations and a meal, there were a few speakers who all talked of how important it is to have an event like this.
President of Cheney Brothers Inc. in Statesville, Rick Stapleton, expressed how happy the company is to be a part of something like this, “[It is great to] come together to have a meal with your neighbors… no matter your economic situation, religion, sexual orientation… we can change our community.”
The theme of everyone being welcomed spilled over from the speeches to the prayers as there were three prayers given by Rev. Reginald Keitt, Rev. Nelson Granade and Caity Gordon each representing different denominations.
With prayers completed, volunteers made their way to each table with endless mounds of chicken, coleslaw, baked beans and greens.
In the middle of the meal everyone quieted down as many start to sing “Happy Birthday” to Victor Crosby of Statesville who turned 100-years-old on the day of the event.
“ First of all, I think this is a fantastic event, to be with your neighbors, I like the community aspect of it – it’s a peaceful and cohesive event, which we all need as much as we can get,” Brewer said.
Many at table eight talked about how thankful they were to see another day but mostly how much they appreciated this experience.
“ Thank you for everything, really appreciate it,” Amanda Black said.
Volunteers also got to enjoy being a part of the community in a special way.
“ This has been very cool because it has been what I want… it is only one race, the human race,” Hall said about everyone coming together.
Other participants like Anthony Reed enjoyed the learning of other people’s lives and the warm hugs he was given after a good conversation.
“ It’s a wonderful event that bridges gaps in our community. I wish we had more events like this here in Statesville,” Michele Cooke said.
“ The last thing we would like to say would be a giant thank you to the community and volunteers that made this day possible! With over 250 volunteers helping the day of and a very committed planning committee this event became one very big showcase of “One Good Things” throughout the community,” Sara Lewis, the Director of Community Engagement and Foundation Relations of United Way of Iredell County said.
The event was made possible with the help of sponsors and partners which included Cheney Brothers Inc., Mitchell Community College, Iredell Statesville Schools, BB&T, Iredell County Parks and Recreation Department, City of Statesville, Piedmont HealthCare, River Oaks, G4G Ministries, Wells Fargo and United Way of Iredell County.
To find any of the pictures that were taken during the event to tell the story of “One Good Thing” go to the United Way of Iredell County’s Facebook page or #ICLongestTable.
By Brittney Melton [email protected], Updated
Additional Photos: https://www.statesville.com/gallery/photos-the-longest-table/collection_b3272f4a-7ca3-11e9-84bf-37006a5a3743.html
For more information about the United Way of Iredell County visit, https://uwiredell.org/