ROGERS, Ark. — Canopy Northwest Arkansas hosts its Feast with Friends event— a dinner designed to break down barriers between refugees and Arkansans.
The purpose is to "engage the community together in the act of welcoming and supporting refugees through dialogue, empathy, and action," Joanna Krause, the executive director for Canopy NWA, said.
"That's one of the most wonderful things about Northwest Arkansas. This is one of the most welcoming communities," Krause said. "We're going to be celebrating and highlighting some of the many cultural cuisines and traditions represented by some of the folks who have recently come into our community."
The first-of-its-kind event for Canopy showcased Central African culture with some of Canopy's clients from Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Ivory Coast, and Sudan. In honor of Black History Month, the event featured a family-style African-themed dinner and a panel discussion on food and culture.
Olivia Namatouvu, who is originally from Uganda, has been in Arkansas for only about a month and a half. She said she's not feeling homesick just yet, but believed this is an opportunity to share her family's culture with Northwest Arkansas.
"I love America so much. [This] is my dream long time and God [is] with people who [are] patient," Nomatouvu said. "I want to thank my family. They are good people. I love them and they love me."
Dr. Sevin Gallo, history professor and director of Global learning at NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) said food can be a teaching tool that brings everyone together.
"I really think that food is a way to tell the human side of that story," Dr. Gallo said. "Food is some of our very first memories, and it really is a marker of home. So having newcomers that come into our community be able to share a bit about themselves, it's just really essential."
Canopy NWA plans to host more Feast with Friends events throughout the year to celebrate Middle Eastern cuisine and Central American cuisine.
"If you've grown up in Northwest Arkansas, all your life, if you're a newcomer, or if you've moved into this community, years or decades ago, there's still a lot that we can share and learn from each other," Krause said. "This is just one very small example of how our newcomer community wants to be hosting and welcoming of others who have in turn welcome them."
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