Buy a ticket to Woodlawn Sunday Dinner, and this could be you. Photo via Woodlawn Foundation

“We wanted to create an event that would bring people into the Woodlawn community.” That is how Clark Virden of Woodlawn Foundation describes the foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year, Woodlawn Sunday Dinner, presented by Medical Properties Trust, Protective Life Corporation and Regions Bank.



And bring people in it did. Over 350 people attended the inaugural event in 2017.



This year is expected to bring even more people into Woodlawn for a soul food potluck like no other. Woodlawn Sunday Dinner is an opportunity for guests, sponsors, residents and key stakeholders of the Birmingham community to sit down at the same table and take in a meal together.



Who is Woodlawn Foundation?



Woodlawn Foundation is a non-profit that acts as a catalyst and facilitator for the transformation and revitalization of Woodlawn. The Vision of Woodlawn Foundation is to grow a safe and healthy community where children learn and play, families live in quality housing, parents work in stable jobs, businesses thrive and everyone contributes to the growth of Greater Birmingham.





Woodlawn Foundation is dedicated to the revitalization of the vibrant community. Photo by Lauren Bedford for Bham Now

What is Woodlawn Sunday Dinner (h2)



“The premise of the event is to spend an afternoon in our neighborhood sharing a meal together.” – Virden



You know those events that feature local restaurants and you get a tasting of each dish and two drink tickets? The food is amazing, but then you inevitably leave hungry.



Woodlawn Sunday Dinner is not like that. At Woodlawn Sunday Dinner, you are truly there for dinner. The ticket is all-inclusive, so load up your plate with greens from Saw’s, fried chicken from Little Donkey and other soul food dishes from restaurants around the Magic City. Don’t be shy about going back for seconds. This is not a tasting — this is a fun neighborhood potluck with over 350 members of your community. The food will be abundant, the drinks will be flowing and you can meet your neighbors in a fun family environment that you may not have otherwise.



Guests enjoy their meal and chat with friends at Woodlawn Sunday Dinner in 2017. Photo via Woodlawn Foundation

Beverages are, of course, included in the full dinner service. Complimentary beer will be provided by Cahaba Brewing, and Cathead Vodka will be pouring up a signature cocktail, their Honeysuckle Lemonade, for those interested in local spirits. Various wines will also be available, as well as coffee and tea from Royal Cup’s mobile cafe.



“Once you’re here, you’re our guest. We’ll take care of you.”- Virden



A note on the all-inclusive tickets: they are limited, and running out fast. There will be no gate sales, so you must buy your ticket in advance. Ticket sales will end on Monday, October 8th. Buy yours here.



Sunday Dinner: A Family Affair



Chances are, you grew up with some version of a “Sunday Dinner” or “Sunday Supper.” A traditional Sunday dinner stirs up feelings of family, large quantities of food and laughter. Everyone is there for the same objective: to eat, to see friends and to enjoy the afternoon. Woodlawn Foundation invites everyone to their community table.



“In close knit communities, the words “Sunday Dinner” evoke images of food, family and fellowship. Here in Woodlawn, we believe that still rings true for those who share the common thread of this community’s revitalization efforts.” – Woodlawn Foundation



Oh, and did I mention live music? New Orleans Jazz band Chuck and The Kings will be providing the tunes. It just wouldn’t be Sunday dinner without music.



The tables of community members line the length of 55th Place South in Woodlawn for Woodlawn Sunday Dinner. There is a seat for you at this table. Photo via Woodlawn Foundation

Pull Up A Seat



Join members of your Birmingham community for this beautiful and joyful neighborhood event. You will meet new friends and eat amazing soul food from local restaurants, so why not crack open a Cahaba IPA with owners of local businesses, that guy that lives down the street from you and the friend you’ve known for year. This is a place for everyone to spend time together.



Details

Date: Sunday, October 14

Sunday, October 14 Time: 1:30pm – 4:30pm

1:30pm – 4:30pm All-Inclusive Tickets: $75; buy them here before Monday, October 8th.

$75; buy them here before Monday, October 8th. Location: 55th Place South

55th Place South Participating Restaurants: Rougaroux Little Donkey Post Office Pies Saw’s Soul Food Kitchen Fancy’s on Fifth Big Spoon Creamery Bayles Catering and Restaurant Sugartits Kitchen Velvet Kake Dirty Red Cahaba Brewery Cathead Vodka (Cocktail of the evening: Honeysuckle Lemonade) Royal Cup Coffee & Tea Truck



When you see this street sign and a few tables lining the block, you’ll know you’ve made it. Photo by Lauren Bedford for Bham Now

Join us at the dining tables on 55th Place for dinner. You never know, you just may make a new friend. We’ll see you at Woodlawn Sunday Dinner!

