WPP Hosts Free Community Dinner

On Monday April 11, the Winooski Partnership for Prevention hosted an event at the O’Brien Community Center, where they provided free meals and information on substance abuse.

Jane Henderson, the grants manager for the WPP had a lot to say about the event and the cause that it promotes.

“We do these dinners monthly as a way to connect with folks in the community,” said Henderson, “and also to give resources for anyone who might be struggling with substance use disorder, but also, we primarily focus on trying to make sure that you do not develop a substance use disorder.”

These community dinners are a regular occurrence, hosted once a month at the community center. To keep things interesting, the style of food changes for every monthly meal.

“So next month, we'll be featuring Arabic cuisine, last month was Bosnian cuisine,” said Henderson. “Winooski is one of the most diverse cities in Vermont and has a ton of new American chefs here, so we really try to highlight those cuisines.”

Henderson likes to find new chefs who specialize in different cuisines, to appeal to Winooski’s broad array of cultures and taste buds.

“We've been really lucky and just reaching out to folks in our community and connecting with chefs, and there's a number of chefs who obviously, were hit hard during the pandemic for in some cases for catering purposes,” said Henderson. “Many of them don't have restaurants in the area, so it's a great opportunity for us to have them cook for everyone, and then the folks in the community to enjoy their food.”

This month, the local culinary artist in question was Alganesh Michaels, who owns A Taste of Abyssinia, which features Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine. 

“I collaborate with local stores in South Burlington to offer my take out,” said Michaels. “I do catering, I do pop-ups, I go from town to town, take my specialty with me.”

Michaels is no stranger to the WPP’s free community dinner, and has provided the meals for it on more than one occasion.

“This is the third one,” said Michaels. “It's rewarding and it feels good.” 

Next month’s dinner will be held on May 11, and will feature Arabic cuisine, and more guidance and resources for substance abuse will be offered by the Winooski Partnership for Prevention.