Free Dinner, Activities and Entertainment Drawing Crowds

Every Tuesday this summer, residents who love to gather for a great meal and family fun can get it while it’s hot at Community Dinners on the Branford Green, Tuesdays 5 to 7 p.m. through Aug. 23.

The series is sponsored by nonprofit Community Dining Room (CDR) with Guilford Foundation’s Youth Advisory Group-Guilford High School Rotary Interact. Each weekly gathering features a dinner donated by local restaurants, together with creative activities and entertainment featuring local organizations and businesses. CDR helps fund activities and entertainment and also supplies desserts, paper goods, and beverages.

After COVID created a two-year break from this annual summer event on the Green, the program has come roaring back. Participation numbers have been higher than expected and continue to climb, said Andrea Savino, CDR Program/Outreach Coordinator.

For the series kick off on July 5, a crowd showed up, and right on time.

"We had 150 people lined up at exactly at 5 o’clock,” said Savino, adding everyone was served within about 20 minutes’ time.

Dinner was provided by Indian Neck Pizza July 5 while CDR sponsored a t-shirt tie-dying party that drew 75 participants. Activities take place immediately following each dinner service.

The second night in the series, held on July 12, saw double the number of dinner guests, said Savino. The night featured a critter-filled visit from Curious Creatures and meals prepared by La Cucina Catering.

“We fed 300 people!” said Savino, adding CDR is always prepared to provide additional hot dog dinners, to make sure every guest gets a meal. “We just made it! La Cucina donated so much food to us, and we had 150 hot dogs ready for back-up. We pretty much went through all of that. It’s been amazing.”

Thanks to the donations from area restaurants and the additional support of program sponsors, CDR is able to deliver this summer’s series of eight community dinners for those flocking to the Green for a great meal and a fun night, said CDR Executive Director Judy Barron.

“Even with a recession on the way, the restaurants are still willing to get involved and donate. I’m overwhelmed by their kindness,” said Barron. “Branford, and the shoreline, remains a community that helps one another. It’s just amazing to have everyone involved to help not only bring this back, but bring it back to the level that it’s reached this year.”

Barron and Savino also thank CDR staff and volunteers who come out each Tuesday night to help man the events.

The next dinner, set for Tuesday, July 19 will feature food from Kamana Indian Cuisine. There will be an instructor-taught event hosted by FiredUp! (ages 5 and up, advance registration required at info@communitydiningroom.org) as well as a small art painting craft with CDR for kids under 5. Soundview Family YMCA will lead a Zoomba fitness class.

Future CDR Community Dinners on the Green this summer will be provided by Genaro's Restaurant (July 26), Home Restaurant (Aug. 2), Hornet's Nest (Aug. 9), Parthenon Diner (Aug. 16), and Nonna Gia (Aug. 23). A full calendar with restaurant, event, and entertainment information for each Tuesday night has been posted by Savino at www.communitydiningroom.org (click on Programs).

Based in Branford at 30 Harrison Ave., CDR efforts support shoreline community members in towns from East Haven to Old Saybrook.

As a nonprofit organization assisting those with food insecurity, part of this summer’s rising response to CDR’s Community Dinners on the green can certainly be attributable to the current impacts of inflation on rising food costs, Savino said. But another aspect well may be the special recipe CDR has concocted to create a community-building event in post-pandemic times.

“With the pandemic slowing down, I think people are trying so hard to get back to regular life and kids being kids,” said Savino.

While every Tuesday night is a delight, Savino, who brings event planning experience to her role with CDR, said there are two exceptional Tuesday nights coming in August, packed with extra-exciting visits and events.

On Tuesday, Aug. 2, entertainment will be provided by DJ Flip (featuring hula hoop and limbo contests) while Savino also is excited to share that characters Chase and Marshall from TV’s Paw Patrol will be on hand meet the kids, together with Branford Police Department; as well as the chance to check out Branford Fire Department apparatus and enjoy recreational activities hosted by Branford Parks and Recreation.

The summer series will wrap up on Tuesday, Aug. 23 with a Back to School/End of Summer Dance Party featuring Red Supreme Productions’ “dance motivator” Austin Dailly, a photo booth, and ice cream truck. Those participating in CDR’s School Backpack program will be able to pick up new backpacks, filled with school supplies, on the green that night. To register in advance to receive a backpack, visit www.communitydiningroom.org To learn more about donating or dropping off backpack items through Aug. 20, contact Savino (203) 488- 9750 ext. 2 or email programcoordinator@communitydiningroom.org

Rain location for Community Dinners on the Branford Green is CDR, 30 Harrison Ave., Branford.