Longer Tables, a nonprofit that believes in the power of shared meals to connect people, welcomed over 3,400 locals who signed up to sit down at the first-ever “Mile Long Table”.
The 5,280-foot long table at the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver, Colorado, served up tons of produce from local farmers, as the perfect side dish for the community on the beautiful Saturday afternoon.
“The community response to our first Mile Long Table has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Tim Jones, founder and executive director of Longer Tables. “It’s really powerful and deeply encouraging to hear guests talk about how eager and appreciative they are to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
“Our goal is creating meaningful connections—and the table makes it all possible.”
Hundreds of volunteers set up and served the guests at the ‘Mile Long Table’, named as an homage to ‘the Mile High City’. (See the video below…)
One of the sponsors, Southwest Airlines, even provided 10 surprise roundtrip airline tickets to reconnect loved ones over the scrumptious feast provided by Serendipity Catering.
The airline selected ten people nominated by community members, and also covered lodging costs so they could take a seat at the table—reuniting with loved ones but also creating new friendships.
Kim Evans was flown to Denver from Philadelphia to reconnect with Hannah Kahan, a longtime friend who had recently graduated from the University of Denver—and she called the experience “truly a blessing”.
Kim made new friends at the event and plans to stay in touch with her ‘tablemates’.
“The energy at the Mile Long Table was infectious,” said Lexi Muller, a senior manager at Southwest Airlines. “We believe that community is more than a place; it’s the heart of what brings us all together.”
One of the diners, Diana Samet, was “delighted” by the notion of the Mile Long Table and was thankful she attended.
“We met lots of folks and just felt a warm spirit of coming together as a community.”
MORE COMMUNITIES COMING TOGETHER:
• Ducks Decide Town Center is Best Sleeping Spot So Humans Escort Them Safely to the River Daily
• Telescopes Pop-Up on City Sidewalks to Engage Passersby in Free Astronomy Viewing Worldwide
Longer Tables began its mission of promoting shared meals in 2013. The organization has since hosted more than 100 gatherings in five states to ‘help cities, organizations, businesses and neighborhoods create cultures of connection and belonging’.
The organization vowed to make the ‘Mile Long Table’ for Denverites an annual event. But new tables are also in the works to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday and Colorado’s 150th birthday—both in 2026. Learn more at longertables.org.
WATCH some local news coverage from Denver…
SPREAD THE IDEA in Your Community By Sharing on Social Media…