Community Plate: Maine's Heartfelt Solution to Loneliness

In the charming and isolated towns of rural Maine, a simple yet profound initiative is stitching together the fabric of disconnected lives. “Community Plate,” the brainchild of Karl Schatz and Margaret Hathaway, is not just serving food, but serving connections. Their solution to the epidemic of loneliness is a warm, inclusive embrace made from shared stories and homemade casseroles.

A Response to Loneliness

Inspired by the surgeon general’s alarming report linking loneliness to serious health risks, Schatz and Hathaway unlocked their solution hidden in the cherished pages of the Maine Community Cookbook. It wasn’t just the recipes that resonated, but the stories behind them. Community Plate started to take shape as potluck suppers where neighbors, often strangers to each other, gathered and connected.

A Supper to Remember

On a dreary March evening, one such gathering unfolded in Norway, Maine. People arrived with casseroles in tow, filling the room with warmth and the enticing smell of comfort food. It was a scene where the simplicity of food was layered with the richness of human connection. Schatz lovingly noted, “This is a gift to the community.”

Stories Beyond Food

From the tales of new residents seeking companionship, like the grandmother who admitted to coming because she was lonely, to the courageous storytelling of Brendan Schauffler about his father’s tragic fate, the evening’s true feast was on the stories shared and heard. These narratives planted seeds of empathy and understanding.

Bridging Divides with Meals

As highlighted by the 2025 World Happiness Report, social connections are crucial for well-being. Hathaway advocates, “Food is something people can talk about without contention.” Indeed, these gatherings show that while policy divides widen, casseroles unite.

An Unexpected Connection

Amidst the laughter and shared reminiscences, the profound also appeared. Brendan’s story touched another grieving soul, ending in a supportive embrace and the shared acknowledgment of loss. Community Plate harnesses such spontaneous, healing connections, weaving them into the lives of Mainers.

As the evening concluded, laden with conversations and shared experiences, Community Plate proved that a familiar Sunday night gathering with neighbors and stories might just be the perfect antidote to rural loneliness.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call, text, or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.