The scene could have come out of a magazine: A long table draped in white, simple flower arrangements and wood slab coasters, set against a lush lawn and shaded by towering oaks. Guests mingled in small groups to the strains of a local string duo before sitting down to a leisurely al-fresco meal together.
The Brown County Community Foundation has hosted three such Giving Dinners so far this year; two more are on the calendar this fall.
The aim is to literally bring the community around one common table to learn about a local cause and how they can support their neighbors.
Altogether, those three events, attended by 72 guests, have raised $10,500 for three local causes, said Kirstie Tiernan, a member of the BCCF’s advancement committee. The committee’s role is to find ways to build more relationships in the community and to help people understand what the BCCF does.
The BCCF’s preschool scholarship program was the first beneficiary at a dinner at Rawhide Ranch in May. The June dinner supported Mother’s Cupboard, hosted at Story Inn. In July, guests at a dinner at Blue Door Park in Nashville made donations to the Brown County Humane Society.
Half of the money dinner guests give — which averages $100 to $200 per person — goes to the charity’s long-term endowment at the BCCF, and the other half goes directly to the organization for more immediate needs.
“The advancement committee was trying to find ways to build relationships in the community and get people to understand what the foundation does, and the capability and the reach in the community,” Tiernan said. “This was an opportunity for people to come together and not only learn about the foundation, but also support an organization in the community and then do something very unique to Brown County, like eat a formal dinner in a field.”
This is the first year the BCCF has done this type of event. Board members have been working to identify hosts, both private individuals and businesses, who have interesting locations they’d like to share, CEO Larry Pejeau said.
Each host is encouraged to choose a local charity to be the benefactor. Food and beverages are sourced and prepared by a local chef — ideally with local food, Tiernan said.
In the case of the most recent dinner at Blue Door Park on South Jefferson Street, guests dined on Italian food from Brozinni’s Pizzeria from down the street and enjoyed Chocolate Moose ice cream from the next block over.
The next dinner, planned for Thursday, Sept. 14, will take place at Bear Wallow Distillery and benefit the Guardian ad Litem program. It trains volunteers to act on children’s behalf in court. Gnaw Bone BBQ and Original Gnaw Bone Tenderloin will cater, Tiernan said.
The final one of the season, set for Thursday, Oct. 19, will be at the Old Barn at Brown County off Hoover Road. It will benefit the Brown County YMCA.
Guest lists are developed collaboratively, with the BCCF inviting people who have an interest in the nonprofit or the venue, or simply want to have a nice evening while supporting a Brown County charity, Pejeau said.
Tiernan sees an opportunity for Brown County visitors or even potential residents to participate as well, showing them “this is what the community is like,” she said.
“If I were going to a small town, you always look for stuff that’s sort of off the beaten path. … And you’re being hosted by people who are Brown County. So not only is it a way to sort of get the feel that small-town intimacy and people you’re visiting, but it really connects you to the county.”
HOW TO HELP:
Offer to host a Giving Dinner.
Attend a Giving Dinner. Two remain on the schedule this year:
- Thursday, Sept. 14 at Bear Wallow Distillery benefiting the Guardian ad Litem program
- Thursday, Oct. 19 at the Old Barn at Brown County benefiting the Brown County YMCA
Donate food service, beverages, entertainment or your time by serving food or cleaning up after the event.
To get involved in any way, contact the Brown County Community Foundation through its website, browncountygives.org.
