Come to the Table Brings Families Together in McCook

McCOOK, Neb. — Prairie Plains CASA invites the community downtown tonight, Thursday, September 18, for Come to the Table, a special event on Norris Avenue as part of the Third Thursday series.

The initiative was first started by Judge Anne Paine before the COVID-19 pandemic, when she visited schools to talk with students about the importance of sitting down with their families for dinner. Since then, a coalition of community partners — including CASA, Nicole Peterson from HHS, Matt Shernert with the Community Foundation, Barb Ostrom from the Child Advocacy Team, Linda Graff from the Community Kitchen, and Deb Kelly from Memorial United Methodist Church — has worked to bring the idea to life. Their goal is simple but powerful: to make eating dinner together as a family “the new thing” in McCook.

Tonight’s event begins at 5:30 p.m., with a free pasta dinner served at 6:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy music from the McCook High School Band, games for all ages, and reflections from Principal Borland, a local student, and Judge Paine about why family connections matter. After dinner, the Heritage Days Polka Band will lead polka dance lessons to help kick off the weekend festivities.

The event is hosted by Prairie Plains CASA, an organization that trains volunteers to serve as a voice for children in foster care who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers advocate for a child’s best interests in the court system, helping them find stability and a safe, permanent home.

Alongside tonight’s celebration, CASA is also promoting the statewide “Chalk It Up for CASA” contest, open September 15–24. The theme, The Power of One, encourages participants to use sidewalk chalk to show how one person can make a difference in a child’s life. Entries may win up to $500, with winners announced October 1.

For more information about Prairie Plains CASA or how to become a volunteer advocate, visit prairieplainscasa.org.