In a small English town, a weekly community dinner has welcomed more than 1,800 people in its first year.
Every Thursday evening in Wareham, Dorset, a church hall becomes a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of what they can afford.
The Welcome Table serves freshly prepared dinners on a pay-what-you-can basis, bringing together families, older residents, and people who might otherwise eat alone.
One year after opening, the volunteer-led project has welcomed more than 1,800 people.
Heather Scharnhorst, who helps run the initiative, says the dinners offer something beyond affordable food: an opportunity to meet neighbors and build friendships.
Up to 45 guests gather each week at Holy Trinity Church, where meals are prepared with support from a professional chef and the charity Not Just Sundaes.
The project began with funding from Dorset Council and now relies on donations and volunteers.
Its success has inspired organizers to advise other communities interested in creating similar gatherings.
