Blog

2nd Annual International Food Festival

Posted on by Kathy H.

The board and supporters of the Northeast Kingdom Asylum Seekers Assistance Network (NEKASAN) express our gratitude to everyone who participated in our joyous 2nd Annual International Food Festival on Saturday, October 12, at the Caledonia Food Co-op in St. Johnsbury! An estimated 200 diners enjoyed examples of cuisines from around the world,  lovingly prepared by over a dozen generous volunteer chefs and neighbors. Folks got to sample dishes as disparate and delicious as fufu from Liberia  , arepas from Venezuela, mana’ich from Lebanon and satay from Thailand, all while listening to beautiful songs performed by friend of NEKASAN, Kerubo Webster from her native culture of Kenya, and Amal Eltaib from Sudan also brought her artistic skills with henna to the festivities.  

We are so grateful to Karina Weiss and everyone connected with the Caledonia Food Co-op for hosting our event this year. We are indebted to The Welcome Center’s Gillian Sewake for her wise counsel in advising us on how best to prepare for such a big event. And we extend warm thanks to Danville Methodist Church, the St. Johnsbury UCC Church, St Andrew’s Church and the Peacham Congregational Church, for chafing dishes and the Fairbanks Museum for lending us tables, chairs, and many other items critical to the event’s success.

We also express deep gratitude to Union Bank for once again sponsoring this important fund- and “friend”-raiser for NEKASAN with their very generous gift of $500 to help us defray costs associated with mounting the event. In addition to the food, fun and fellowship that characterized this year’s Food Fest, NEKASAN is thrilled to report that the event raised $1700 for our work to support asylum seekers in settling into their new home here among us! Thank you, thank you to everyone for demonstrating what a warm and welcoming place St. Johnsbury is with your participation in this wonderful event.

Thank you to all who came to enjoy food from around the world and to learn more about NEKASAN and how we welcome the many new neighbors now calling our region home. 

See you next year!

NEKASAN is a founding member of the Vermont-New Hampshire Asylum Support Network (VTNHASN). This network is comprised of 9 community-based asylum support groups in Vt & NH who work together to foster collaboration, share best practices, build capacity, raise public awareness of the issues involved in seeking asylum , and advocate for policies and funding that support our collective work and the asylum seekers with whom we work.

Check out the network website at https://vtasylumsupport.org/ and find:

  • The resources page to answer many of your questions about working with asylum seekers
  • The advocacy page to help you find contact information for your elected state and federal officials
  • Our members and partners contact information
  • Ways to volunteer and support our work locally

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions