How do you bring a community together?

Around the dinner table, of course.

It’s almost time for the 18th annual Community Dinner, a unique Chapel Hill-Carrboro event that simply invites everyone in town to gather together for a meal – nothing more, nothing less. Organized each year by Nerys Levy, Mildred “Mama Dip” Council, and dozens of volunteers, the Community Dinner brings hundreds of people together in the spirit of unity.

Last year’s Community Dinner won a national award for Cultural Diversity from the National League of Cities. This year’s dinner will feature food coordinated by Mama Dip herself, music from Unnecessary Measures and the Chapel Hill UUkes (not a typo!), dance from Brothaz Unique, and poetry from Nikkima Santos (aka the SoLiloQueen). WCHL’s own Ron Stutts will MC.

WCHL’s Aaron Keck spoke with Community Dinner organizer Nerys Levy.

This year’s Community Dinner will take place at 1 pm on Sunday, April 26, in the Cafetorium of McDougle Middle School. Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $3.00 for kids, on sale now at Carrboro Branch Library; McDougle School; the Carrboro Cybrary; The Ink Spot; Mama Dip’s; Townsend, Bertram and Company; FRANK Gallery; Signs Now Occasions; and the Orange County Public Library. Organizers are also accepting donations to support dinners for those who otherwise can’t afford to attend.

For more information – as well as info on how to donate or volunteer – visit CommunityDinner.org.