AKRON, Ohio (AP) - Five hundred people are parking themselves at a long table in Akron for a meal that organizers hope helps to break down social barriers and brings people together from throughout the city.
The community building and art project, called 500 Plates, will be coming to an underused stretch of the Akron Innerbelt on Oct. 4, the Akron Beacon Journal reported (https://bit.ly/1LPA55g).
“What’s one thing that really brings people together - food,” said San Francisco-based artist Hunter Franks, 29, who is organizing the event using a John S. and James L. Knight Foundation grant awarded this year. Part of the $96,000 grant will be used to pay for a “community gathering table” for each of the 22 neighborhoods.
Franks, along with University of Akron student David Swirsky, have signed up neighborhood ambassadors for the event from each of the city’s 22 neighborhoods. The ambassadors, in turn, are being encouraged to invite 10 others from their neighborhoods.
Franks said he envisions the meal as a chance to break down social barriers, with people from different parts of Akron visiting each other and learning about each other’s communities.
“In all my work, I try to focus on things that bring people together,” he said.
Angela Miller, 59, is attending 500 Plates as a neighborhood ambassador. She said she’s looking forward to getting the community together.
“This is a great idea,” said Miller, a retiree and busy volunteer who has organized block parties. “I can’t wait until we all get together.”
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Information from: Akron Beacon Journal, https://www.ohio.com
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