On the Road Again: Sunshine Suppers go mobile to reach more people

Neighbors meeting neighbors is the goal of Sunshine Suppers on the Road with meals at Rolling Prairie and the Sun Prairie Fire Department coming during the next few weeks.After hearing about the first Suppers on the Road held at Hamilton Place apartments, Rolling Prairie resident leaders thought it would make sense for their community.

A free hot nutritious meal will be served, there will be games for kids, and adults can hang out and talk with other Rolling Prairie residents.

The Aug. 30 Sunshine Supper on the Road, at the Sun Prairie Fire Department, is for the entire community to break bread with local firefighters, police and EMS personnel. Kids will be able to check out fire trucks, police vehicles, ambulance and meet a police dog.

The regular Monday Sunshine Suppers, at 1632 W. Main St., have been a strong force in building relationships in the community but Joanna Cervantes, Sunshine Place executive director, says not everyone knows about or can come to the Monday night gatherings.

That’s why she’s excited to see the traveling suppers.

“The Sunshine Suppers on the Road are blossoming and gaining traction,” Cervantes said. “It’s nice to gather with community members from different areas in the city.”

District 1 Alder Steve Stocker said the Rolling Prairie supper will emphasize the neighborhood’s positives after a June 18 homicide of a 33-year-old Marshall man at the apartments had residents in shock.

Residents told Stocker they don’t want Rolling Prairie to be seen as a bad neighborhood and blame problems on outsiders. The dinner, Stocker says, will focus on building community.

“They may not know their neighbors, so that is our main goal of the supper is to get people to know their neighbors,” Stocker said of the Sept. 6 supper that’s just for Rolling Prairie residents.

Stocker said there’s been a lot of support from Rolling Prairie resident managers, Sun Prairie police and the fire department to plan or be part of the event.

The Wednesday, Aug. 30 Sunshine Suppers on the Road, at the Sun Prairie Fire Department will be hosted by firefighters, police and EMS personnel.

The Aug. 30 supper will offer residents an opportunity to meet and talk person-to-person -- something community leaders say is important.

“Anytime we can engage with our neighbors, it makes a stronger community,” said District 3 Alder Maureen Crombie.

Crombie, who helps organize Sunshine Suppers on the Road, says volunteers and partnerships will drive the success of future events with people lending a hand, donating food or helping with activities. At the Hamilton Place suppers, the Sun Prairie Public Library brought books, and groups registered people to vote and offered other services.

Finding the right location, figuring out logistics, and gathering the resources for the mobile suppers can be a challenge, Cervantes said. But she said she would like to see at least a couple of the mobile suppers a year.

To volunteer or donate to a Sunshine Suppers on the Road, contact Sunshine Supper Executive Director Joanna Cervantes at director@sunshineplace.org.

The Wednesday, Aug. 30 Sunshine Supper on the Road at the Sun Prairie Fire Department, 135 N. Bristol St. will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m.