FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Our Family Dinner?

It is a tradition, movement and an initiative of Family Dinner Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)(3) organization. Our EIN is 47-1639472. Our mission is to serve as an encouraging model of what doing life in community could be through the tradition of dinner.

We’re more digitally connected than we’ve ever been yet the most isolated and disconnected interpersonally. In a time where many of us are mediating our lives behind a computer screen and are living in cities without strong pre-existing relationships, it is vital for brothers and sisters to have a space where they can build relationships without having to qualify, “know the right people,” and be on — Our Family Dinner steps into that need and equips hosts around the world to open their hearts, hands and homes to welcome, know care for people like you and me.

What does Our Family Dinner do, specifically?

We are the equivalent of the familial gathering you may have grown up attending with loving relatives + friends coming together for great food and fellowship, from aluminum pans on warmers, to warm hugs and genuine smiles.
We equip and empower hosts (volunteers) to make space for brothers and sisters in your city to find real fellowship & friendship over the dinner table. We’ve historically helped hosts make space in restaurants and large public spaces, but we’ve now focused on helping hosts make space in their own homes.

We help brothers and sisters like you get welcomed and connected to these dinners taking place around their city all year long. Periodically, we gather all of the family members together in the city for a citywide Our Family Dinner which is akin to a family reunion, just for the city. We typically partner with local and national partners to bring that experience to as many brothers and sisters as possible.

Whether you recently moved to a new city and are looking for a community of brothers and sisters who want to build familial friendships, you’ve lived in a city for years and recognize your responsibility to be hospitable or are a corporate partner looking to have a familial, engaging experience/activation, this tradition is of value for everyone. There is nothing like an Our Family Dinner and we want to release the tradition to the world in a way that makes brothers and sisters, families, community organizations and major institutions value breaking bread together in a familial (non-corporate) way.

Is this for people looking to network and build new relationships?

While we want new relationships to be formed from the attendance of family dinner building networking is not a priority. We want people to be a member of community. We are not inviting you to simply make new contacts. It’s about the care, concern, and loving on people.

Who hosts and organizes the Dinners?

You do. Yes, literally, brothers and sisters like you take the lead and we help them see the tradition through where you live. While we have a more formal process for hosting for Our Family Dinner groups, it is all to ensure we can coordinate and connect as many brothers and sisters in groups as possible.

How do you prepare someone to host a dinner?

Host training is a mandatory requirement for all hosts interested in hosting a Family Dinner. Our training will walk you through our mission and expectorations for the dinner. If you cannot attend a training session, you cannot host for the season. You will remain in consideration for the following season.

What kind of commitment is expected for a group?

Our Family Dinner Groups will start on or around October 27, 2018 and meet bi-weekly for eight weeks through early December. Weekdays are difficult for most given work scheduling/commitments and existing faith studies/groups. We believe Saturdays and Sundays after 2 pm are great times to fellowship. By joining a group you are committing to be present. We know you can’t develop friendships without connection, consistency, vulnerability and commitment, so you presence for a given season is vital.

What can I expect whenever I attend a group?

Our Family Dinner groups meet at a brother’s or sister’s home. This contrasts with our Citywide Our Family Dinners which meet in restaurants and large community spaces. Every group is designed to create an environment where brothers and sisters feel welcome, known and cared for like a loving family member. We also want to make it possible for anyone who desires family like this to attend, so we work to minimize costs. While hosts can tailor the content of gathering to their liking, in the spirit of the tradition, each commits to maintaining the core elements of our tradition: Warm Welcome (Welcome Calls + Hugs + Introductions), Grace / Opening Prayer, Breaking Bread, Being Fully Present: Goodbye to Phones at the dinner table, Being Known: Life Moments, No Resumes and A Familial Shared Experience/Activity (e.g., FD ice breakers, game nights, movie/tv show, outside activity)

Do you have groups exclusively for individuals 55+?

Not yet, but we have before and we will again. It all depends on having hosts who are interested in forming these groups. If you are interested in starting a group for brothers and sisters 55+ sign up to host and let us know!

How do I sign up for a group?

Click here to sign up for an Our Family Dinner Group!

What if I don’t hear back or I get stuck trying to find a group?
Email us: hostlove@ourfamilydinner.org