On a late-summer evening in Littleton (~42,000 population), about 3,400 residents—roughly 7 % of the city—turned out for a communal dinner event organized along the city’s main street. Rather than being a protest, political forum or branded marketing event, this gathering was simply people coming together: tables stretching down Main Street, conversations about everyday life – parks, schools, health, neighborhood roots. The event was coordinated by 54 community organizations, many local businesses, and hundreds of volunteers. The author frames this not just as a nice dinner, but as a marker of what he calls “local civilization” — the idea that communities can rebuild meaningful connection and social infrastructure by focusing on in-person interaction, trust, and shared identity rather than just digital networks or national institutions. He notes that in many U.S. communities, people feel little connection to neighbors (for example, only ~16 % say they feel “very connected” to the...

When Missouri celebrates Good Neighbor Week, it’s not just individuals who take part—it’s institutions rooted in community life. Across the state, 54 County MU Extension Councils played a pivotal role in sparking local acts of kindness, connection, and service that rippled far beyond their initial reach. These councils, the local backbone of University of Missouri Extension, mobilized volunteers, organized community drives, and reminded Missourians that neighboring is more than a word—it’s a movement. Their coordinated efforts brought together thousands of people, proving that when education and engagement meet, the result is a stronger, more connected Missouri.' County Councils reported a little over 19,000 acts of neighboring during the week. This year, 42,000 acts of reported statewide for Missouri Good Neighbor Week. Extension at Work on Campuses On the MU campus in Columbia, university-based teams set the tone for statewide involvement. Team #1 partnered with the Food Bank ...

At a time when political arguments fill our screens and loneliness grips entire neighborhoods, Tim Jones has a radical 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. I met Jones for the first time in 2023. But when I heard about his plan for a mile-long table in Denver on July 26, I bought a ticket—and then began thinking how we might do something similar during Missouri Good Neighbor Week. The Mile Long Table—a 5,280-foot table (symbolic of Denver’s altitude) – this year seated 3,650 people for a communal meal.  From Tacos to Transformation “I half-joke that I believe tacos could save the world,” began Jones. 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...

  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 thinki...