The Longest Table Awarded Knight Foundation Grant

The Longest Table Awarded Knight Foundation Grant

Today, the City of Tallahassee, with support from Leon County Government, The Village Square and Leadership Tallahassee, announced that it was selected to receive a $57,250 grant to expand The Longest Table Initiative. The grant comes from the Knight Foundation as part of their Knight Creative Cities Challenge. The application, which was submitted by the Mayor's Office in January, was selected out of 4,500 applications. In September, the application made the cut when 155 projects were chosen as finalists.

"We are extremely proud of helping Tallahassee secure a Knight Creative Cities grant to expand such a worthwhile effort,” Mayor Andrew Gillum said. "The Longest Table is helping to create a positive movement in our community that is breaking down silos, and allowing citizens from different walks of life to build meaningful connections."

Last October, the opening phase of The Longest Table Initiative was held in the middle of Park Avenue where over 400 citizens came out to share a meal and share experiences. The next phase, which will take place on Sunday, June 26, at 5:30 p.m., will break conversations into smaller dinners of 6-8 citizens in over 100 homes and public spaces around the community. The grant funds will go toward sponsoring the cost of food and supplies, and will ensure that anyone in the community can participate regardless of their socioeconomic status.

"The County looks forward to continuing the conversation we helped start in October of last year," Leon County Commissioner Nick Maddox said. "And we proudly support events like The Longest Table because they help citizens ask hard questions and make new connections."

If you are interested in hosting or attending a Longest Table event, please visit LongestTable.com or call 891-8181.

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