A day of connection and kindness.
Just when we need connection the most
Now, more than ever, we need to keep the “unity” in “community.”
Every year, The Big Table brings central Ohio residents together for a day of connection and community-building, usually through in-person conversations. Since 2016, thousands of people have come together at hundreds of tables to share their insights, ideas, and hopes for the future.
While we can’t gather in person this year, we are still coming together to show the strength and resiliency of the Columbus region. There are many ways for you to help strengthen the connectedness of our community and cultivate kindness through The Big Table, and we encourage you to do what works best for you!
We invite you to participate on October 16 in one (or more) of the following ways—on your own or as part of a Big Table team!
Connect through conversation.
Reach out to a loved one, friend, or neighbor who has been isolated due to COVID-19.
Get a group of friends together via Zoom or another platform to discuss a topic that’s on your mind.
Send a postcard or a letter to someone you’ve been missing and let them know you’re thinking of them.
Connect through assistance.
Connect through action.
Volunteer on October 16 with your favorite nonprofit!
Not able to volunteer that day? Commit to a future volunteer opportunity.
Looking for ideas?
Find ways to empower kids with at-home volunteer opportunities through Seeds of Caring.
Connect with community needs through Besa.
Find ways to help local nonprofits on POINT.
Tell us!
Email us, text us, or use #TheBigTable on your social media channels to share your plans for October 16. From those, we'll randomly select big-hearted folks to receive a cool, limited-edition Big Table hat!
You can also help create community connections and kindness with your friends and family by using our custom Big Table graphic in the toolkit and writing in your commitment. Remember: use #TheBigTable to be entered into the contest!
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SHAREFAQs
No – this year is different than past Big Table events. All Big Table activities are done on your own. We’ve provided some examples of ways you can use October 16 as a way to connect with others, and encourage you to participate in any way you choose.
We hope October 16 will be a day of connection, kindness, and service. Whether you choose to participate alone or virtually with a group of friends think about what would be meaningful to you, and commit to do it on that day! That could be reaching out through conversations with others, helping those in need through volunteering, or doing something kind for someone you know or a stranger, there’s no wrong way to participate.
Yes! Whatever you do to participate in The Big Table, we want you to share it with your friends and family.
Click the button below for some customizable tools to help you get the word out about your plan to connect with others on October 16.
Reach out to us at bigtable@columbusfoundation.org.