Akron leaders are hoping that local residents will be willing to sit down for a meal and brainstorm about how to improve the community.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced Monday that it is providing $1.15 million to expand the On the Table initiative in 10 cities, including the Rubber City.
As part of the program, first launched in 2013 by the Chicago Community Trust, residents gather for small mealtime conversations and discuss ways to better their neighborhoods. They can talk about myriad challenges, including race relations, affordable housing and urban design.
The meals will take place in cities that once had Knight-supported newspapers. In addition to Akron, the other cities are Charlotte, N.C.; Columbus, Ga.; Detroit; Gary, Ind.; Lexington, Ky.; Long Beach, Calif.; Miami; Philadelphia; and San Jose, Calif.
The Akron gathering is set for Oct. 3. Details about the meal and how to participate are being announced later.
“The expansion of On the Table will help create a national network of people who are working to make our communities stronger and more successful, while sharing lessons about how local residents can collaborate on pressing challenges,” Lilly Weinberg, Knight Foundation director for community foundations, said Monday in a prepared statement.
“With community foundations leading the effort, the information gathered through this initiative will tap into residents’ interests and aspirations, informing decisions about new investments and engaging local decision-makers.”
The Chicago Community Trust says more than 55,000 Chicago-area residents participated last year. The group uses the ideas to help develop its comprehensive strategic plan and to influence policymakers.