When newcomers and long-time Canadians gather for meals, conversations, or celebrations, they build lasting bonds and a stronger sense of community. These simple acts of welcoming benefit us all.
For more than 16 years, the Multicultural Association of Pictou County (MAPC) has been bringing people together through one of the simplest and most meaningful gestures of welcome, sharing a meal. Their traditional community potluck has become a beloved gathering, welcoming newcomers and long-time residents to sit side by side, taste foods from around the world, and build friendships that last far beyond the evening.
As part of Welcoming Week 2025 and its theme Stories We Share, we spoke with Nanda Shirke, Executive Director of MAPC, about the history of the potluck and how it has helped make Pictou County a more inclusive, welcoming community.
A Tradition of Sharing Food and Friendship
Nanda recalls that the very first MAPC gathering was a potluck at a farmhouse, nearly 16 years ago. “Food is such a powerful way to connect people,” she explains. “When you break bread together, you become friends. That bond grows around the table.”
Since then, the potluck has become a fixture in the community calendar, usually held several times a year. It provides newcomers a chance to meet others, while giving local residents the opportunity to try cuisines from around the world. For Nanda herself, potlucks introduced her to Canadian staples like blueberry crumble, biscuits, and carrot cake.
The gatherings are casual, family-friendly, and joyful. There’s no agenda beyond sharing a meal. People sit down with one group, then move to another table, meeting new faces and reconnecting with old friends. “It’s as casual as it can be, just like being at someone’s house,” Nanda says.
A Welcoming Community Practice
Although the potlucks have occasionally been held in multiple locations throughout Pictou County, they are most often hosted at Trinity United Church in New Glasgow. The church has generously opened its doors to people of all backgrounds, offering a safe and welcoming space where kids can run around and families can gather.
“At Trinity, we endeavour to live into the idea that for everyone there is a place at the “table”. In the traditional sense that would mean the communion table, but we believe that when people gather around food, wonderful things can happen. Inviting the multi-cultural association to hold pot-luck dinners at Trinity is a natural extension of our expansive table value.” Donna Tourneur, Minister of Trinity United Church
Attendance varies, but sometimes more than 100 people fill the hall. Long tables are loaded with dishes, so much food that, as Nanda laughs, “you need a platter instead of a plate.” Volunteers from MAPC and community members pitch in with setup and cleanup, making the event truly collaborative.
The potlucks also model inclusivity. Care is taken to provide options for different dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, and halal, so everyone feels welcome at the table.
Stories We Share: Connections That Last
Over the years, Nanda has seen countless friendships begin at these gatherings. Some newcomers who attended their first potluck soon after arriving are still regulars today, returning with their families as the years pass. Local residents, too, have made the potluck a tradition.
“I like trying new foods and making or bringing something. There is always plenty and it is fun to watch the kids and we have seen some grow up now! It is very welcoming, where you can share and socialize a little or a lot. The potlucks are a great way to learn about different cultures and the more I learn the more alike I see we all are.” Barb MacEachern lives in Westville and, along with her family, have been an engaged participant at the potlucks for years.
Children play together easily, helping their parents connect across language or cultural barriers. Sometimes, whole tables form around a shared nationality or language, while others mix people from different backgrounds, a reminder that the event is as much about celebrating diversity as it is about building common ground.
“The potluck is a win-win,” Nanda says. “Newcomers get to learn about Canadian traditions, locals try foods from other cultures, and everyone walks away with new friends.”
Looking Ahead
As MAPC prepares for another year of potlucks, the tradition shows no sign of slowing down. For Nanda, the reason is simple: “It’s a no-brainer. We’ve just got to do a potluck. It’s one of the easiest and best ways to bring people together.”
The MAPC potluck is more than a meal: it’s a practice of belonging, a story the community has been writing together for over 16 years. And as long as people keep showing up with a dish and an open heart, it will continue to be one of Pictou County’s most cherished traditions of welcome.
Follow MAPC on Facebook to learn more about their events and join them for their next potluck!
