Kathmandu— In the quiet neighborhood of Hiltonia, New Jersey, residents gathered for a potluck event as part of America’s Potluck initiative, marking the country’s 250th anniversary. These communal meals are part of a broader effort to rebuild social ties through shared food, reflecting a growing concern about loneliness and social divisions in the United States.

Future of Potlucks

While potlucks can be a powerful tool for building community, the work of creating meaningful relationships does not end with the gathering. The real work of building social connection happens after the gatherings. Turning those openings into lasting relationships takes effort, from finding a space and organising logistics to sustaining the effort. As communities continue to grapple with loneliness and social divisions, potlucks and other food-based gatherings will likely remain a key part of the solution. The Hiltonia Association hopes that the connections made at these events will encourage more people to get involved in their community and make it easier to work out disagreements when they arise. The next gathering was already planned for August: a National Night Out, where neighbors would block off the street and share another potluck.

While potlucks and other food-based gatherings can bring people together, the work of creating meaningful relationships does not end with the gathering. The real work of building social connection happens after the gatherings, and it takes effort to sustain these connections. As communities continue to grapple with loneliness and social divisions, potlucks and other food-based gatherings will likely remain a key part of the solution.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

More from the source

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.