There is nothing that brings people together quite like a hot meal. In spite of our differences and disagreements, to break bread with our fellow man has remained a critical form of connection for centuries. In the spirit of community and giving back, TASK recently hosted their second annual Community Meal, offering visitors from near and far some delicious dining, live music, and most important of all, a chance to spend an afternoon with friends new and old.
On Friday, September 15th, dozens of guests were welcome to our community for TASK’s yearly community meal. Tucked away on Escher St., the bustling barbecue was the perfect way to kick off the start of the weekend. Community was at the center of the day’s festivities, inviting attendees from all walks of life to come together over a shared meal. With music in the air, conversation in every corner, and community connection setting the tone for the day, there was no doubt that guests would walk away with both their hearts and stomachs full.
Describing the motivation behind this event, Joyce Campbell, CEO of TASK, stated “This is our second annual community barbecue. Last year was our 40th anniversary and it went so well that we said, this is really what we want to do again. We invite the community, we talk about our patrons, we have our volunteers here, we have other guests coming from our partner organizations. This is our community, and we’re working together to make a difference. It’s food first, but we do a lot more than just that.” When asked about how many guests they expected to serve that day, Campbell remarked that at least an estimated 200 attendees would have been served.
TASK is a tremendous community resource serving up plenty more than just food to thousands each year. In addition to meeting physical needs such as hunger, TASK also offers a number of opportunities including adult education, career placement, case management, and a number of other wraparound services to help vulnerable members of our community get back on their feet. Since their founding in 1982, TASK has served over 6.5 million meals to those in need. With over 9,000 meals per week served, TASK plays an integral role in assuring that no one in our community is without food or other basic necessities. If you are interested in supporting TASK in this impactful work, additional details regarding how you can get involved can be found here: Get Involved – TASK. Additional details regarding TASK’s extensive list of services can be found here: What We Do – TASK.
Food is an integral part of our lives, presenting a shared need amongst humanity across all ages, stages, and backgrounds. Beyond just a basic necessity, however, a meal affords family, friends, and community the chance to be present as one. TASK’s Community Barbecue served up smiles all day long, affording guests both a meal as well as memories to last a lifetime.
