Free Community Dinner Brings Mountaintop Neighbors Together to Address Food Sustainability

WINDHAM — More than fifty Mountaintop residents gathered last Monday night at the Windham VFW for a free community dinner aimed at raising awareness about the growing food sustainability crisis in our region. Sponsored by the Greene County Food Security Coalition and Stronger Together, in partnership with the Windham VFW, the evening was a powerful reminder of what can happen when neighbors come together.

Guests enjoyed a delicious, thoughtfully prepared meal by Chef John Parslow, assisted by dedicated local volunteers who donated their time and energy to make the evening welcoming and meaningful. The dinner was about more than food—it was about connection, dignity, and ensuring that everyone in our community feels supported.

In rural areas like the Mountaintop, isolation, rising costs, and limited access to resources make food insecurity an increasing concern. Events like this demonstrate that the best way to address a growing crisis is simple and time-honored: good people showing up for one another. Neighbor helping neighbor remains our strongest tool.

This free community dinner is intended to serve as a model as organizers look toward hosting more gatherings like it—bringing people together, feeding those that need a good meal, and continuing the conversation around food access and sustainability on the Mountaintop.

The organizers extend heartfelt thanks to the many supporters who made this event possible: Main Street Market, Main Street Community Center, Windham Chamber of Commerce, the Bruderhof Community, the Golden Age Club, Windham Rotary Foundation, WRIP, The Mountain Eagle, Mountain Top Progressive, Windham Arts Alliance, the Mountaintop Interfaith Community, Hensonville Hose Company, and Windham Hose Company and the local pantries.

At its heart, this evening was a reminder that community is built one meal, one conversation, and one act of kindness at a time. When we gather around a shared table, we are not only feeding bodies—we are strengthening the bonds that sustain us all.

Need Food Assistance?  If you or anyone you know could use help with food access please reach out to the Main Street Community Center-518-734-4168 –hello@mainstreetcenter.org  or  contact Jonathan Gross directly at 914-523-3766. All inquiries are confidential.  We are here to help our community.