I recently had the privilege of attending The Sanctuary for Independent Media’s free community brunch. I’d like to tell you about it.
By Jeff Marden, Founder of Peace At The Table
TROY, NY, August 30, 2026 — The Sanctuary for Independent Media is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization. They describe their mission as using “art, media, science, and participatory action to promote social and environmental justice, and freedom of creative expression.”
This past Sunday, Kitchen Sanctuary, one of the organization’s programs, hosted a free community brunch at Freedom Square in Troy.
Their open invitation to the community said:
“Join us at a long table at Freedom Square for free food in good company. Sharing food and getting to know your neighbors is such an important way to build a community. Kitchen Sanctuary is inviting you to show up with a hunger for brunch and conversation.”
Freedom Square is a beautiful, local space that is part of the Sanctuary. They describe it as “An urban cultural and spiritual oasis… Freedom Square is a place to gather, exchange ideas, reflect, celebrate and nourish both body and soul.”
The tables at the brunch were filled with mac & cheese, pancakes, bacon, sausages, blueberry sauce, plenty of maple syrup, and so much more.
Neighbors from throughout the community gathered around shared tables, enjoyed a welcoming meal, and built on their connections with friends and neighbors.
The brunch had a warm, inclusive spirit as people celebrated the strength of their community, exchanged stories, and discovered how much they shared.
Volunteers Diane Easton and Garrett McCarey cooked donated food for the event, which also included generous contributions from others in the community. Garrett told me, “We really want people to be able to sit down, enjoy a nice meal, meet their neighbors, and talk.”
Zilpa Oduor, The Sanctuary’s Development & Communications Director, told me why meals like this matter –
It’s so special to invite our neighbors to fellowship with us over food. No strings attached, just an open heart and open mind to connecting with each other. It’s what the world needs right now.
It was a true community gathering. Guests ate, talked, laughed, and connected over this beautiful shared meal.
The most touching moment of the day for me came when a volunteer told me about a neighbor who lives just down the block from Freedom Square. The neighbor came over to get a plate of food to bring home.
This neighbor told them, “I don’t come out of my house because it’s scary, but it smelled so good, and I’m so hungry.”
The volunteer finished by telling me –
Everybody’s hungry and groceries are so expensive. If you can, you help feed people. It’s just the right thing to do.
I have a personal connection to The Sanctuary for Independent Media and strongly support its compassionate mission and work. Please visit www.MediaSanctuary.org to learn about its many wonderful programs that promote social and environmental justice.
Thanks very much for reading and peace,
– Jeff Marden
These stories need to be told. The world needs to hear news and stories about healing and building peace — now more than ever.
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