Displaying items by tag: 500 plates

In October, 500 people came together to have a meal at one table on Akron's Interbelt.

Now the man who led that effort, 500 Plates Organizer Hunter Franks - wants to recreate it but on a smaller scale with neighborhood tables.

"It is a way to continue to use food as a vehicle for cultural change on a smaller neighborhood scale as opposed to the large 500 person event we had."

Michael Mosley from West Akron says this will help spark conversation and change in the city.

"We don't need politicians to make something happen, you just have to get out here and use your own hands and feet."

Jim Ballard from Kenmore says this project will help get things done in the neighborhood.

"There will be a synergy of arts and culture and at the end of (Kenmore) Boulevard will be our table and there are a lot of people in Kenmore who wanted to come around a table to get things done and now they have that table."

500 Plates' project manager David Swirsky says the tables can serve as two roles.

"People will see a table and go up and use it."

The tables built by 500 Plates will start popping up around Akron next month, in time for summer events.

There will be one in downtown Akron next to Lock 4.

It's not the first time San Francisco-based artist Hunter Franks has done something like this -- but it is his largest project. 

With help from the Knight Foundation, Franks was able to bring together 500 Akronites together for one shared meal on a 500-foot long table. Oh -- and it's sitting on Akron's Innerbelt.