What is Monday Night Dinner?

When I was growing up, as my brothers and sisters were moving out of the house, my mom just asked all of us to come home every Monday to have dinner. It was a time she always kept special for us all to spend together and stay close to one another - No matter how old we got.

A few years ago, I moved from my hometown to Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho and did not know a single person. Shortly after moving there, I went through a big breakup and was left feeling completely alone and isolated. I had no clue what to do. I tried to rely on social media to help but, as we know, it made it worse.

I was craving in-person connection. In-person conversation.

I was craving vulnerability.

Finally, I just decided to invite strangers I would meet spontaneously to have dinner at my home on Monday nights. It was my way of carrying on the Monday Night Dinner tradition but, instead of with close family, with strangers I would meet.

The only rules?

Everyone brings a side-dish. No business. No politics. No phones. Nothing divisive.

No agenda other than just getting to know the people around you in genuine conversations.

The first dinner had 11 people come to it… And we never stopped - Having them every other Monday until they got too big to be able to have them indoors anymore. Now, we just do them May-September and have hundreds of people that come to each one.

Each time, someone brings a new person or stranger they’ve met and we just keep bringing the world that much closer together.

One dinner at a time. One stranger at a time.

Half the country drifts through the week feeling alone. That’s not just sad, it’s clinical. The U.S. Surgeon General says weak social connection raises our risk of early death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and it spikes heart disease and stroke risk by roughly 30 percent. The WHO now estimates loneliness is linked to about 871,000 deaths every year worldwide. This is a health issue, an economic issue, and a human one.

Monday Night Dinners are simple on purpose. Shared tables, real eye contact, structured conversation, and room for people to be seen.

That’s it.

But that ‘small’ design maps directly to what the research says protects us: frequent, high-quality social contact. When we do this week after week, blood pressure falls, anxiety eases, morale returns, and communities knit back together. Connection isn’t a slogan. It’s preventive care we all need.”

NOW HAVING BROUGHT THOUSANDS OF STRANGERS TOGETHER, ALL OVER THE WORLD.

WHEN THE WORLD NEEDS IT MORE THAN EVER.

click here for all the monday night dinner invites!

To donate to the dinners - GoFundMe

“Thank you so, so much for creating Monday Night Dinners. The first time I came here, I was all alone. I had so many losses in life and I was the only person left… I thought ‘What could go wrong if I went to a Monday Night Dinner to try them out?’ And it ended up being the best decision I have ever made. You have created such a profound sense of community and helped me to feel and recognize that none of us are alone. We are all part of a bigger world together. I am eternally grateful to be a part of this community and for your welcoming presence. Looking forward to many, many more years of this going forward!”

Kristen W.

“I found love here when I was so afraid to live. Thank you for that.”

Misty D.

“I’ve always loved meeting new people, it’s just part of who I am, and probably why real estate has been such a natural fit for me. I find it endlessly fascinating to hear people’s stories, their backgrounds, and what makes them tick. But I also know that for many, meeting new people and building connections isn’t easy, especially for those who are introverted or going through a rough spot in life.

So when I heard about this guy down the street from my house, who was opening his backyard every other Monday night for anyone to come, share a meal, and connect, I was all in. In a world that often feels divided (especially if you spend endless hours watching the news or on social media), Monday Night Dinners is a breath of fresh air. It reminds us that we have far more in common than we realize.

Whether our differences are political, religious, or ideological, I truly believe and have experienced that we can still be friends, family, even lovers, despite those differences. I’ve sat around the dinner table with my own family and had dialogue about some very heavy topics, but at the end of the meal, we’re all still friends. We love and respect one another, even when we don’t agree.

Human decency, kindness, and community can bridge just about anything. That’s exactly what Monday Night Dinners is all about. It’s people coming together, finding common ground, and uplifting one another in the process. I’m such a huge fan of what Adam has created and the heart behind it. It’s not just dinner, it’s connection, hope, and humanity at its best. Hats off to him for starting something so special and continuing to show up for people on a regular.”

Michelle B.

“Monday Night Dinners are still pretty new to me. I’ve only been to four so far, however, the impact they’ve made is incredible. They have given me a real sense of community. Growing up, I was a fairly shy kid. It was always difficult to put myself out there, let alone walk up to a completely stranger. Being able to come to an event like this - judgement free and loving arms wide open - is truly an opportunity. I am so blessed to have met so many new friends that I have never had the chance to meet before. What do Monday Night Dinners mean to me? They mean gaining personal relationships, meeting new fiends, having lasting memories, lifting each other up and being able to call my community my second family.”

Kayla B.

“Monday Night Dinners reignite the child inside of me.”

Malachi B.

“The community you create is a beautiful, valuable and necessary one in a society that many times forgets to be kind, forgets to forgive and forgets to love. Thank you Monday Night Dinners for letting us remember what it means to be neighbors and to truly build the community we’ve lost. We haven’t completely lost it. This beautiful gift of togetherness is proof of that.“

Devin W.

“The first Monday Night Dinner I came to was a gamble. I was a cashier at Safeway across the street and Adam was in and out regularly. I was welcomed immediately and that first dinner, I met a group of friends that I am still lucky to have in my life. It is so essential to dance, laugh, eat and savor our time on earth.”

Emma P.

“Thank you for reaching out to the sad, the lonely, the heartbroken, the lost and anybody on the street. It’s a rare thing.”

Anna R.

“Thank you so much for bringing Monday Night Dinners together. I’m an introvert and struggle with being social and making friends so I love the atmosphere and the ability to chat with new people here. It helps me to overcome my social anxiety. Thank you for all you do!”

Adam F.

Monday Night Dinners… Melting pot. Pot luck. Meeting strangers. Music that moves. Talented people sharing their gifts. Freedom in conversations. No worries. It always comes together! My sister Melissa met Adam and made him our friend too. Always welcome - No judgement ever. Genuine desire to see people connect. We love what this means. All are welcome - We feel blessed to be here.

-Genca S.

“Thank you for your hospitality and your beautiful mind and heart. These truly are the nights we all live for!”

Piper C.

“Such an amazing thing you have started and continue to do for these last 6 years. I am glad I found out about them this summer and have been able to attend a few! You seem like someone with a kind heart and soul - We really need more of your kind in this world. Keep on, keeping on!”

Pete M.

“The first time I came, I was a silly little nerd with low self esteem and a lot of sarcasm. I spent years trying to find my calling and these dinners supported me through it all. I put way more effort to come to these dinners than I do to see my family at times.”

Anthony B.

“I’ve been to over a dozen of these magical gatherings and each new one is more incredible than the last. These dinners hold a very special place in my heart and I look forward to attending many more to come!”

Bailey R.

“Adam. I am not sure how you did it but, as always, a gift to all. I’m sure no one can forget how they met you. I know I never will. Thank you for being a genuine friend - I will always continue to reciprocate however I can.”

Melissa C.

“I love what you’ve created with Monday Night Dinners. It’s something I look forward to and that inspires me to create more community in the world. Thank you for bringing people together!”

Lauren K.

This is so inspiring to me. Thank you for opening up your backyard, for inviting us to come, for the connection. It feels like home. We appreciate your kindness.

Courtney R.

“So glad to be a part of this family. Thank you Adam. You have a gift which you share freely and lovingly and it shows. Many blessings and loving thoughts your way.”

Brandey C.

“Monday Night Dinners have become something very special in my life. In a world filled with so many digital interactions, it’s more important than ever to cultivate friendships in person.”

Kyla A.

“A place where I know I’ll find smiles and good conversation. Even when I’m feeling too tired or busy, I try to always make it since it’s a genuinely refreshing connection each time.”

Weston C.

“Monday Night Dinners are amazing. Being able to connect with so many new friends and meeting so many different people is wonderful. It’s like an old fashion block party! Every dinner, there are always so many new faces. It’s great to get away from technology and actually speak to people. I have made many new friends and lasting relationships over the past few years at these dinners! Always great music and food too.”

Mary S.

“So thankful my path lead me to these events - Beyond tickled to be out with friendly people, all thankful and happy. Growing up with block parties, it is so heart warming to see this once again.”

Diana H.

“As I sit here at this picnic table of close friends, under a string of lights, music and familiar voices echoing in the background. I an reminded of how blessed I am to be conversing and mingling amongst such wonderful individuals.”

Ashton B.

“This was our first time here! Honestly, one of the best ideas - More people in this world should have your mindset and heart. We greately appreciate the hospitaly and kindness - Thank you a million times!”

The Hovery Family

“Monday Night Dinners… These nights are really special. I am honored to know you all - Thank you for opening your home and heart to all these people, including me.”

Denny L.