It’s nice — great, in fact — to be able to write and publish something celebratory that is both local and timely, and something we can all enjoy. Would that such opportunities came around more frequently! But, for one day next Sunday, all of Greenfield and Franklin County will have a few hours to gather, engage, and interact while appreciating that Stone Soup Café is having its 15th birthday, its quinceañera, a coming-of-age rite of passage.
In this time of instability and heightened concerns about an uncertain future, 15 years of steadiness and readiness to serve multiple communities and hundreds of people — families including children, working folks, the elderly, and all others — is a gift for all. Stone Soup Café has long been a paradigm of virtue, a balm and font for healthy eating, a centerpiece for gathering people and communities together, and a place and time for building strong relationships.
Stone Soup Café’s 15th birthday party, open to and for all, offers everyone the opportunity to imbibe locally produced, home- and handmade from scratch gluten-free delights while learning about its impact on individuals, families, groups, and beyond. Come and ask questions, eat and drink, possibly sign up and sign on as a volunteer, become a one-time or monthly donor of absolutely any amount, enjoy music while singing and dancing along, connect with your neighbors, peers, and colleagues — and maybe even win a raffle, or a gift. And you will likely depart a few hours later happily sated, having met friends and others, all while gaining a sense of hopefulness and positivity knowing there’s a local organization that cares deeply about our well-being. The fun and food will be on the Greenfield Common while scores of volunteers, staff, and board members are doing their thing on Sunday afternoon June 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. on into early evening.
What is there to celebrate on Sunday? For some, it’s Flag Day, for others, the acknowledgement of POTUS’ 18th birthday; at that point we’re only a week from the summer solstice and first day of the new season, and one week from Father’s Day. For locals, we can openly and publicly enjoy the energy, the spirit, the collective and collaborative attitude, and the positive ethos that emanates from all that Stone Soup Café is and does. Even its mantra: “Every ingredient counts — especially YOU!” — demonstrates how people and relationships are by far the most important element in everything that the Café makes, serves, and does. To be sure, in a time of fear and perceived and real scarcity, Stone Soup offers abundance: healthy, home-cooked, community-made food for all, no holds barred.
Of course, what makes this all possible is simple and clear: it’s US! It’s local citizens, residents, and those further afield pitching in, whether with financial contributions of whatever size, offering your energy and skills to serve on a committee, volunteer to help prep the meals, drive meals to recipients, assist in The Community Store, offer music and performing arts skills, lead or participate in a workshop, and more.
While Stone Soup Café’s staff is small in size, it is mighty in its commitments, and stellar in its service to our communities. It’s model and approach is to engage ever more volunteers and networked relationships while continuing to reach out to new folks, and organizations. Events such as Our Fifteenth Birthday go a long way in building greater efficacy and understanding across all constituents and cohorts in our communities. As the late and great Brazilian educator Paolo Freire has said, “knowledge is power.” Coming to know more about our community-based, pay-what-you-can café enables you to both access its programs while also contributing to all that it is and does.
Someone once said that 80% of life is simply showing up. Next Sunday afternoon, that’s all you have to do — find your way to the Greenfield Common, bring a friend or a family member or more, and arrive. Your presence will be your present, and you will be gifted to wonderful, nutritious food, more smiles than you can count, and, maybe, perhaps, a new friend or more. Having something special like this to celebrate is well worth our time and participation. Be there, and enjoy all that surrounds you for a few hours.
Daniel Cantor Yalowitz, Ed.D., writes a regular column for the Recorder. He in an intercultural and developmental psychologist and writes about issues focused on human and civil rights, human values, and his ongoing commitment to create a better world for us all. Reach out to him at danielcyalowitz@gmail.com.