We have all been watching the news out of Minneapolis. We’ve seen the images of protestors braving sub-zero temperatures, of neighbors organizing rapid response networks to protect one another, and of everyday people walking children to school to ensure they get there safely.
It is heartbreaking that this is necessary. But it is also breathtakingly beautiful.
What we are witnessing is not just a protest; it is democracy in its rawest, most human form. Democracy isn’t just what happens in a voting booth every few years. Democracy is what happens on our sidewalks, in our living rooms, and at our dinner tables every single day. It is the active choice to say, “I will look out for you.”
In St. Louis, and in cities across the country, we are asking ourselves: “What can I do?”
Melting the ice, one plate at a time. While the temperatures dropped outside, the warmth in this room was undeniable. Last Saturday, 91 of us gathered at Grace United Methodist Church to break bread, share stories, and create a sanctuary of welcome. We have the recipe—now we just need more tables. Are you ready to set yours?
Photo Credit: Jessica Bueler
Real change doesn’t trickle down from the top; it bubbles up from the bottom—from the pot on the stove and the chairs around the table. We don’t need to wait for the political climate to change to create warmth for our neighbors. We ignite that warmth ourselves, reclaiming our community one dinner and one connection at a time.
When systems fail to make people feel welcome, communities must rise to fill the gap.
At Fork in the Road Foundation, we are turning that spirit of solidarity into action. We are creating spaces where fear is replaced by flavor, and where isolation is melted away by the warmth of a shared meal. Every time you support a refugee chef, you are casting a vote for the kind of community you want to live in—one that values dignity, safety, and belonging for everyone.
This is how you stand up. This is how you show up.
Here are five tangible ways you can put your values into action right now:
- Make Valentine’s Day Mean More: Skip the generic chocolates. Our Love Around the World Box features handcrafted treats like Dubai Chocolate Baklava from refugee women rebuilding their lives. It’s a gift that says “I love you” to your partner and “I see you” to your neighbor.
- Break Bread at Breakfast: Join us for Ghaidaa’s Table: A Syrian Community Breakfast on Feb 7. Start your weekend by sharing a meal prepared with love and resilience. It is hard to fear someone when you are passing them the bread.
- Share the Love at Dinner: On Feb 14, bring your partner or a friend to our Share the Love Dinner. This isn’t just dinner; it’s a statement that our community is bigger, broader, and more delicious when everyone has a seat at the table.
- Host Your Own Act of Welcome: You have a kitchen. You have a dining room. You have the power to create a sanctuary. Email us at director@forkintheroad.charity, and we will help you host a supper club that bridges the gap between “us” and “them.”
- Fuel the Fire of Welcome: If you can’t make it to a table, you can still help set one. Make a Donation today to ensure we can keep the lights on and the ovens hot. Your contribution isn’t just a transaction; it is the fuel that allows us to keep employing, empowering, and protecting these incredible women when they need it most.
The cold is real. But our fire is stronger. Let’s keep it burning together.
With resolve and gratitude,
Jessica Bueler
Executive Director
Fork in the Road Foundation
