Amid a loneliness epidemic, an organization was founded in 2022 to bring people together through shared meals. On October 5th, it expanded to include six cities and became a nationwide initiative.
What started as a simple neighborhood post on Nextdoor.com in Chelsea four years ago has grown into a nationwide movement. This past Sunday, The Longest Table organized six simultaneous community potlucks across the United States.
This is a key step in the organization’s ambitious 2025 expansion plan, supported by the Nextdoor Foundation, which aims to bring people together in a time when loneliness is increasing.
A Simple Idea with Profound Impact
The concept behind The Longest Table is elegantly simple: set out a long communal table, invite neighbors to bring a dish, and create a space where strangers can become friends.
Since its inception, the initiative has inspired neighbors in cities across the United States, including New York, Oklahoma, California, and even Paris, to self-organize their own events. The goal is to connect, eat, and have fun, while strengthening the fabric of local communities.
“At its core, The Longest Table is about our shared humanity,” said Maryam Banikarim, Co-Founder of The Longest Table. “Seeing it become a movement—from New York to Oklahoma to California to Paris—shows how powerful our need to connect and belong is, and that we can solve it ourselves.”
This shared purpose is increasingly urgent. Recent national surveys show that loneliness affects nearly half of U.S. adults. The Longest Table provides a practical, grassroots approach to address this issue by bringing people together over meals and conversation.
The events on October 5 marked a key moment in the initiative’s growth. Six cities hosted free public potlucks, each turning everyday streets and public spaces into welcoming community hubs:
- San Francisco, Fort Bragg, and Pacific Palisades, CA
- Chicago, IL, Winston-Salem, NC and Chelsea, NYC
Each event invited attendees to bring a dish to share, but it was not required. The emphasis was on openness and belonging, not formality or obligation.
Throughout the day, residents from diverse backgrounds gathered to share meals, exchange stories, and foster neighborhood bonds.
These six events are part of 50 community potlucks scheduled throughout 2025, reflecting the organization’s accelerated national expansion made possible by support from the Nextdoor Foundation. There are plans to expand globally.
A Mission Rooted in Community Building
Founded by NYCNext (501c3), The Longest Table unites neighbors for shared meals in open spaces where everyone feels welcome.
In an increasingly disconnected world, the organization is rebuilding community one table at a time, fostering human connection, reducing loneliness, and reminding people of what they share rather than what divides them.
What started on a single block in Chelsea has grown into a replicable model for community engagement that any neighborhood can adapt.
While the concept may seem informal, the impact is measurable. Surveys of past participants show:
- 90% report more positive feelings about their neighborhood after attending.
- 87% connect with new people at the event.
- 82% feel inspired to get more involved locally.
- 79% feel less lonely after attending.
These outcomes underscore the power of shared experiences to foster community resilience and a sense of belonging — outcomes that many civic programs struggle to achieve at scale.
A Partnership for Stronger Neighborhoods
The involvement of the Nextdoor Foundation has been critical in scaling the movement. Inspired by the neighborhood connections fostered by Nextdoor Holdings, Inc., the Foundation partners with trusted nonprofits and local leaders to build stronger, kinder communities.
Backed by various funders, including Nextdoor’s co-founders, the Foundation identifies and supports initiatives that help people connect, support one another, and create places where everyone belongs.
“The Longest Table continues to do extraordinary work in bringing neighbors face-to-face to build stronger local communities,” said Kelsey Grady, President of the Nextdoor Foundation. “These events represent our shared commitment to fostering strong connections that make neighborhoods more resilient and thrive.”
Through this partnership, both organizations are betting on the transformative potential of small, local acts — a shared meal, a friendly conversation, a table set down in the street — to counter disconnection on a national scale.
More Than a Meal: A Blueprint for Reconnection
By using open streets and public spaces, the initiative transforms everyday locations into platforms for civic engagement. It lowers participation barriers, encourages neighbor involvement, and helps build lasting connections.
For many communities, especially those recovering from the pandemic or experiencing demographic changes, these grassroots gatherings provide meaningful opportunities to build connections. Unlike large formal events, The Longest Table operates on a personal, neighbor-to-neighbor level.
A Bright Future Ahead
As The Longest Table continues its 2025 expansion, organizers encourage more communities to host their own events. Neighborhoods, community groups, and local leaders can find resources and guidelines at www.longesttablecommunity.org.
The movement’s success demonstrates that, amid digital distractions and societal divisions, gathering around a table to share a meal remains one of the most effective ways to foster connection.
