Open Table Tuesday: Where Community Pulls Up a Chair

Arlene Hopping
Nov 13
2 min read

Join us for a weekly community meal where local support, pantry donations, and volunteer opportunities come together to share food, laughter, and connection.

Every Tuesday evening at Happy Hippie Customs, the smell of warm food drifts through the store, and conversations start to flow like old friends catching up. That’s Open Table Tuesday — a simple idea that’s grown into something much bigger than we imagined.

There’s no signup sheet, no questions, and no labels. Just people. Some come to eat, some come to help, and some just come to be surrounded by a little kindness after a long day.

More Than a Meal, It’s a Circle of Care

What started as one kitchen table has now turned into two cozy kitchen sets, the kind that make you want to pull up a chair and stay awhile. Beside them, two folding tables stay busy all evening: one lined with trays of hot food, the other filled with pantry staples for anyone who needs a few extras to take home.

We’ve even added donations of warm clothes for anyone facing the chill of the season, We currently have socks, sweaters, and blankets given freely by people who just want to help their neighbors stay comfortable.

Next week, we’re also setting out a few decks of cards and board games. Because community isn’t just shared meals — it’s shared laughter. A little friendly competition over a game or puzzle reminds us that connection can be simple, lighthearted, and real.

A family playing with a puzzle at the table

Built by Hands and Hearts

Every dish, every bag of groceries, every coat, and every smile comes from someone who decided to show up. Some of our helpers are longtime friends; others are new faces who wandered in and asked, “What can I do?”

Local businesses have chipped in, too! We've seen locals donating ingredients, pantry items, and supplies that make it possible to keep the tables full. Their quiet generosity keeps the heartbeat steady.

And it doesn’t stop at our doors anymore, there are now four drop-off locations dedicated to Open Table Tuesday. Each one helps us keep the mission going strong, making sure no table runs empty and no neighbor goes without.

Pull Up a Chair

If you’ve been curious about what Open Table Tuesday is, this is your invitation. Come share a meal. Bring a dish. Volunteer to serve. Drop off pantry goods or warm clothing. Or just stop by to sit, talk, and be part of a story that’s still being written.

Community doesn’t happen by accident; it happens one shared table at a time. And every Tuesday, there’s a seat waiting for you.