Brentwood-Darlington neighbors host ‘Community Supper’

Check out this outer East Portland event! It truly embodies the meaning of ‘community building’ …

Many families arrive for the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association’s first “Community Supper”, held in their Community Center.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Many organizations tout the concept of “community building” as a lofty goal. But on Thursday evening, April 24, the leaders of the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association (BDNA) put the idea into practical action by hosting a “Community Supper” in the Brentwood-Darlington Community Center.

At the food buffet, during the BDNA “Community Supper”, we found cookie baker Michelle Spohn, event organizer and chef Cynthia Cook, and BDNA Secretary Kylie Hyde.

“We in the BDNA came up with this idea, as I recall, last November, after the election – when it seemed that people were feeling really stressed and disconnected,” said BDNA Board Member Cynthia Cook, as she finished putting out the food she’d prepared.

“I wanted to create a space for our residents to hang out and talk, and to realize that we have do have really friendly neighbors – people here ‘have each other’s backs’,” Cook told East Portland News. “It seemed that making supper, and allowing people to ‘take the night off’ and get to know each other, would be a great way to build community!”

Enjoying the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association’s “Community Supper”, it’s the Roberts family — who live “just blocks away” from the Community Center.

Taking action, Cook organized the supper – preparing the entire meal, except for the cookies baked by volunteer Michelle Spohn.

In addition to “building community”, Cook continued, “Really, the best thing that can come out of this evening is building our resilience. Like being able to feel comfortable asking your neighbor – who, perhaps you met here tonight! – for something you need; or, supporting others here, in our neighborhood.”

Neighbors who gathered for this “Community Supper” are building community resilience, the organizers say.

With a really nice turnout, the evening appeared to accomplish all those objectives – and seemed likely to occur again at some point.

For more information about the BDNA – the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association — see their official website: CLICK HERE.

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