You never know what will bring a community together. For one Lakewood, CO community, it all started with a single Nextdoor post about meatloaf and banana cream pie.
Back in April, one hungry Nextdoor Lakewood resident named Matt decided to post on Nextdoor asking for someone to make him meatloaf and a banana cream pie. There was no context around why he was seeking these items or what they were for, but nonetheless, it prompted an enormous response from neighbors– replies that ranged from How strange! to I make the BEST meatloaf! As the post continued to spark chatter, many neighbors began claiming that their meatloaf or pie recipe was the best. That’s when a group of residents decided there was only one way to settle the matter – the neighborhood was going to have to have a meatloaf and banana cream pie contest!
After a few weeks of planning (and many trials in the kitchen), over 100 neighbors and six judges that included local restaurant owners came out to try each other’s creations. The event was held at a local church hall, with tons of food, live music, face paint, and games for neighbors of all ages to enjoy. Neighbors in the community also donated tons of prizes for the winners, such as gift certificates, flowers, wine, ceramics, and kiln formed glass art.
Matt, the neighbor that started it all by asking for meatloaf and banana cream pie in a Nextdoor post
The best part? Bringing together a community all because one person asked for meatloaf and banana cream pie. Most of the neighbors that attended hadn’t met each other in person until that day, making the event even sweeter and more meaningful for all involved. In fact, the gathering was so successful that the neighborhood is already planning the next competition!
We may never know what Matt was expecting when he asked for meatloaf and banana cream pie, but starting a neighborhood tradition was surely an unexpected, yet wonderful, outcome.
Lakewood resident Leslie (in the banana hat), one of the event organizers and also the first place winner in the banana cream pie category pictured with her family
Photos credited to Jim Rabiolo/Vitality Video
What a great story! This truly lightened my day after a rough one!
Question: I’ve tried sharing a few of these in the past in my Nextdoor neighborhood but could not get a good link or a share button for Nextdoor exclusively would be great! Is that even possible? Or how can I share it?
Thanks
Nancy Symns Lead
South O’Fallon, Illinois