Akron Community Foundation recently approved $50,000 in grants as part of its first-ever On the Table Community Impact Awards. The grants will be distributed to 26 local nonprofits for projects that address issues discussed during last October’s On the Table Greater Akron event. The Exchange House received a Community Impact Award to host a 2-part series of panel-led community meals. This summer, Multilingual Meals will take place on June 6, August 1, and then on October 3 as part of the city-wide event.

On October 3, 2018, the Exchange House participated in On the Table Greater Akron, an initiative that brings together thousands of residents from all walks of life to share a meal and discuss meaningful ideas to strengthen our community. With 15 dishes of globally diverse food, over 100 people gathered in the Backyard for 11 conversations spoken in 9 languages for our interpretation of On the Table which was Multilingual Meals. Folks talked about action steps around economic issues & poverty and equity & social inclusion in Nepali, Dari, Arabic, Burmese, Mongolian, Swahili, Spanish, Karen, and English. We believe in listening to all community voices about how to make our places stronger, safer, and more dynamic.