All are welcome to attend the Stronger Together Community Potluck being held next Saturday at Knox Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., which will feature live music and, of course, a wide variety of food choices - including desserts. 

According to Organizer Robin Davison, attendees are not required to bring a food item, but anything would be a welcomed addition. 

Davison said she and her neighbours just wanted to 'pay it forward' in light of the increasing struggles with food security Canadians are experiencing this year.

"The average family is struggling to keep food on the table, and they're struggling at the grocery store because prices keep going up," she explained. "Some reports say that 2024 will see grocery price increases of 2.4 to 4.6 percent, so we're not sure what the solution is, but we're going to try and make it better as far as our neighbours [community members] are concerned. So we are throwing this potluck."

She said Knox Hall has graciously donated the space for this event.

"Everybody is welcome. It doesn't matter if you're working class, or not working class. It doesn't matter if you're new to Weyburn or you've been in Weyburn your whole life. Everyone is welcome to this meal, and the whole point is just to get together."

Between all of those who have already signed up to provide food, Davison said they will have enough to feed 100 people, and registration is not required.

"If you are in a position to bring food, the more the merrier. If you are not, just know that you are still welcome to come eat with us and have fun," she invited. "Another feature of the potluck is a free bread table and the purpose of the table is so that if anybody in attendance would benefit from some home baking, they are welcome to take as much as they need. Take a loaf of bread home or take some buns home." 

"If you are unsure of what to bring and you're maybe not in a position to be doing that, it's not an obligation. It's not a requirement. You are still welcome to come and eat with us."

"Bring your appetite and bring a friend. Bring the kids. Bring Grandma. Everybody's welcome."

She shared the reason for hosting this kind of event.

"We see the need and we decided to do something about it. We don't think that anybody should ever go to bed hungry, especially not in Canada. Reflecting back on the theme, Stronger Together, sharing is caring, and it goes a long way," she said. 

Davison clarified that they are not an organization affiliated with any kind of agenda other than to simply feed people.

"We are your neighbours and we see you. We see you struggling, and we know that food insecurity affects one in five Canadians. That's me. That's you. That's your neighbour. That's your grandparents. That's people that you might not think have food insecurity in their life."

"Food banks are being utilized more than ever and we're feeling the pressure at the grocery store. So we're just a group of neighbours that saw an area where improvement can be made and we took it upon ourselves to do something awesome for the community." 

"It affects all of us in one way or another. It moves a person. It stirs something deep down in your humanity to want to help. We're stronger together."

Davison has previously held similar events potluck gatherings at River Park in 2022, which included deliveries - something they are not planning to offer with this event.

As for the leftovers, "anyone who wants to come to the event should bring a takeout container. That way, if there's something that you really like or something that you'd like to take home for lunch tomorrow, a little bit extra for later, help yourself. We're hoping that we don't have a huge bunch of leftovers to deal with, but if we do, we're pretty resourceful and I'm sure we can find good homes for all the food." 

A draw for a care package will be made at the end of the event, with entry for attendees limited to one per household. 

Anyone interested in volunteering for the potluck can contact her, RD Jones, on Facebook, or send a message via the event page HERE.

Davison added that they've got a few musical acts lined up, but are open to more. A playlist will be ready to go if there aren't enough performers to fill three hours.