Building Belonging One Meal at a Time: Tim Jones and the Power of Longer Tables

 

In a time when communities across the United States are grappling with disconnection, Tim Jones offers a simple but profound remedy: set a longer table. As the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Longer Tables, Jones has spent the last decade reclaiming the table as a place of connection, storytelling, and human belonging.

His appearance on Session 65 of Neighboring 101—hosted by David Burton of the University of Missouri Extension—was a masterclass in how to spark community transformation by gathering people around food and conversation. Through his story-driven approach, Jones has helped thousands of people experience what happens when strangers become neighbors over a shared meal.

From Tacos to Transformation

Jones’ opening line sets the tone for his disarming philosophy: “I half-joke that I believe tacos could save the world.” But behind the humor is a deep truth—food is universally human, and the table is a place where everyone belongs.

“I have a hard time thinking of a place that feels like home, no matter where you grew up, how much money you got, what your skin color is. The table is this unbelievably humanizing place of equality that is just human,” Jones said.

Longer Tables started in 2013 as a grassroots initiative in Denver, Colorado, aimed at combating the growing epidemics of loneliness and isolation. Over time, the project grew into a movement. From public parks known for drug activity to corporate boardrooms plagued by siloed work cultures, Jones has reimagined what the act of eating together can accomplish.

One of the organization’s most iconic events is the Mile Long Table—a 5,280-foot table (symbolic of Denver’s altitude) designed to seat 5,280 people for a communal meal. “A lot of people say, ‘Why do you need to go to that effort and expense to set a mile-long table?’ Because when people see a mile-long table, they intuitively know what that means. It casts a vision of what’s possible.”

Table as Transformation

At the heart of Longer Tables is a belief in the power of intentionality. These aren’t random gatherings with plastic forks and paper plates—these are curated experiences meant to stir awe, spark vulnerability, and erase social hierarchies.

Jones recounted his first time attending one of these events—a turning point that helped shape the movement: “I showed up early and saw an 80-foot table with real place settings, real silverware, greens down the middle, and my name written on a leaf. When you see your name like that, it hits you—someone anticipated you being there. You feel seen.”

That act of “setting a place” became a metaphor for the movement. “We set a place for people who are often left out. And when you do that, something beautiful happens: they show up, they open up, and they feel they belong.”

The Two Rules of the Table

Central to each gathering are two guiding rules that remove barriers and invite deeper connection:

1. No job talk. “We can’t talk about work. There are no job titles,” Jones emphasized. “Because the minute someone says what they do, we make judgments—about them, about ourselves. When we take that off the table, authenticity and vulnerability flow.”

2. Come as you are. “This is not a table of performance. It’s not about impressing anyone. You can be having a bad day, a bad week, a bad year—you’re still welcome.”

These rules open the door to real conversations. Rather than discussing headlines or opinions, participants are guided through storytelling-based questions: “What was a memorable meal from your childhood?” or “What kind of neighborhood do you want your kids to grow up in?” These questions are powerful because, as Jones puts it, “You can’t argue with someone’s story.”

When Strangers Become Family

One of the most moving aspects of Jones’ work is how it dissolves labels. He tells the story of a white state senator seated next to a Latina grandmother named Bertha. Had titles been shared upfront, the dynamic would have shifted dramatically. But because no job titles were revealed, they simply became Chris and Bertha—two humans who had a meaningful conversation over dinner.

“That’s the magic of the table,” Jones explained. “When we strip away the labels, we see each other. Not as a Republican or Democrat. Not as rich or poor. But as people who just want to be loved, to belong, and to do meaningful work.”

It’s a transformation that happens not just in Denver, but across the nation through the Table Together campaign—a collective action movement encouraging people to host neighborhood dinners on the same night.

Table Together: A National Invitation

Launched in 2023, Table Together equips individuals to host dinners in their own neighborhoods, no matter their experience level. Jones himself confesses, “It took me three years to knock on my neighbor’s door—and I run a nonprofit about neighboring!”

The campaign provides a low-barrier, high-impact toolkit for hosts: place cards, stickers, conversation prompts, and even coloring sheets for kids. Participants also receive short training videos addressing common concerns, especially the fear of inviting neighbors.

“People worry, ‘What if no one shows up?’ But the truth is, 95% of our neighbors came with a dish in hand once I finally invited them,” Jones said. “We’ve found that people are just waiting for someone to go first.”

Backing up this insight is a study from Missouri, shared during the session, which found that 82% of people would attend a neighborhood event if invited—but fewer than 10% are willing to host. “So if you’re the spark plug,” Jones emphasized, “your neighbors will show up.”

The collective nature of Table Together also matters. As Jones explains, “When someone says, ‘Hey, there’s a national event happening and neighbors are doing this across the country,’ it gives you permission. You’re part of something bigger.”

Designed for Belonging

Even the physical layout of the events is designed to encourage connection. Longer Tables rejects the traditional round banquet tables used at most events. “Round tables are loud and awkward. You end up talking to just the person on your left or right. But a long table—everyone can hear, everyone can talk to five or six people. There’s no head of the table. It says: We’re all in this together.”

The symbolic power of the table layout is no accident. “People come around the corner and see this long table, and you can see it on their faces: awe. That visual says something words can’t. It says: You matter. You have a place. And if you weren’t here, the table wouldn’t be complete.”

Who Gets to Belong?

One key to the success of Longer Tables is that it doesn’t just represent diverse communities—it invites them to co-create. “We’re not just about representation,” Jones says. “We want people to help build it with us. Ownership builds connection.”

This approach extends to the food itself. Meals are intentionally sourced from local, family-owned restaurants that reflect the culture of the neighborhood. “For our Mile Long Table in Denver, we’re partnering with Hispanic-owned businesses because that’s the story of the neighborhood.”

Even the challenges are handled with care. For potlucks, participants fill out food cards listing ingredients and allergy info. Hosts ensure there are options for every dietary preference, without diminishing the joy of shared food.

As Jones reminds us, “Food’s the fun part. But the conversation—that’s what people remember.”

Practical Takeaways for Communities

Jones and his team provide simple, replicable tools to empower others to follow suit. Whether you're a community leader, nonprofit, city planner, or just a neighbor wanting to make a difference, Longer Tables offers a way in.

Key strategies include:

• Use name cards and tags to help guests feel seen.

• Invite personally. Don’t just post a flyer. A personal invitation makes all the difference.

• Mix people up. Don’t let folks sit with their spouses or coworkers. This is about expanding circles.

• Respect boundaries. Have a set end time, especially for introverts.

• Start with a meal, then get to work. Whether it’s zoning issues or housing policy, relational groundwork makes collaboration more productive.

As Jones puts it, “Progress moves at the speed of relationship.”

A Place at the Table for Everyone

Longer Tables isn’t just about meals. It’s about culture change—about inviting people to slow down, to listen, to be human again. Whether the table is five feet long or a mile long, the principle is the same: set a place for someone else.

Jones closed the interview with this powerful reminder: “Whether the table’s 5,000 feet or 5 feet, it doesn’t matter. The people who need to show up will be there. And that we’ve set a place for them—that’s what matters.”

In a world that feels increasingly fragmented, Tim Jones is helping us remember that we don’t need to build walls—we need to build longer tables. And in doing so, we just might rediscover the power of being neighbors.

Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or visit his website at http://engagedneighbor.com.