This MLK Free Community Dinner this Friday, Jan. 12, is a beloved tradition hosted by the King Coalition and an opportunity to share a meal with friends both old and new. The annual dinner brings people from all walks of life together in the spirit of true brotherhood and sisterhood to commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. This year’s event will be back for the first time since 2020 and will be held at the UW Gordon Dining and Event Center.
“We’re excited that the MLK Free Community Dinner will be back in person again for the first time since COVID this year,” Ed Lee, co-chair of the King Coalition, tells Madison365. “As very much in past years, the event will be similar to previous events and food will be served 4:30-7:30 p.m. buffet style …. so people can arrive anytime. You don’t have to get there right at 4:30 p.m.”
Every year, the King Coalition plans, organizes and promotes events honoring the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the City of Madison and Dane County. Along with the great food, the MLK Free Community Dinner will feature performances by the Madison Music Makers, a group of 3rd-8th grade Madison-area musicians of different backgrounds
“Really, the main purpose of the event is just to kick off the King holiday weekend with some community building, and some food and fellowship together,” Lee says. “There’s not a lot of programming that happens, but we’ll have a little bit of music from the Music Makers. The MLK Free Community Dinner is about bringing people together to build community and kick off the King holiday weekend.
(Photo by David Dahmer)
“Dinner will include fried and baked chicken, mac n’ cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, sweet potato pie, and coffee and lemonade,” Lee adds. “The food is prepared by Gordon Commons who are part of UW housing.”
The MLK Free Community Dinner will kick off numerous events in the Madison area to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. including the 39th Annual Madison & Dane County MLK Day Observance, the annual MLK Ecumenical Service, the MLK Youth Day of Service, the MLK I Have a Dream Scholarship Ball, the MLK Youth Recognition Breakfast, hosted by Urban League of Greater Madison, and more.
Lee has been attending the MLK Free Community Dinner for more than two decades and it’s one of his favorite events.
“It’s a chance to catch up with people and to see people you haven’t seen in a while,” Lee says. “I get to go to a lot of events around town and the programs are always interesting, but oftentimes just networking and connecting with people is the best part. And that’s really what this dinner is all about. People tend to be in a good mood and it’s the start of a new year and I think the King holiday brings out a lot of positive reflections on how far we’ve come, but also still where we need to go and as a community.”
The community dinner traditionally represents the diversity of Madison as people from all walks of life come together.
“We’re looking forward to a nice attendance at this event,” Lee says. “It is a free, family event.”
