SWANNANOA, N.C. (828newsNOW) — On Thursday evening at Owen Middle School, the cafeteria was filled with the sounds of conversation, children’s laughter and the smell of a hot meal being served. Families drifted in from a nearby soccer game, and volunteers greeted neighbors and students.

The event is called Community Night, but organizers say the free meal, games and shelves stocked with clothes and school supplies are only part of the reason people come.

“It’s about bringing people into the school in a way that feels welcoming,” said Josh Wells, the United Way community school coordinator at Owen Middle School. “No pressure, no expectations — just come in, eat and be part of the community.”

Community Nights rotate among nine Buncombe County Schools and typically take place Monday through Thursday during the school year. The gatherings provide dinner, access to resources and an informal space for families to connect with one another and with school staff.

“It can be a tough sell at first,” he said. “If you say, ‘Hey, do you want to come have dinner at the middle school on Thursday?’ people might think that sounds strange. But once they come in and see the music, the games and people hanging out, they realize it’s not a charity event. It’s a community event.”

The meals are funded through United Way and other partners, who help cover the cost of local caterers. Organizers intentionally work with a mix of nonprofits, small businesses and community programs.

One of those partners is Black Mountain Home, which runs a culinary training program for young adults transitioning out of foster care. Students in the program help prepare the meals served at some Community Nights.

Other caterers include nonprofit food service group Equal Plates and small local vendors, including food trucks and independent cooks.

“We try to partner with smaller places that might not have a brick-and-mortar restaurant yet,” Wells said. “It’s a way to support them while also feeding the community.”

The effort relies heavily on volunteers and community partners. Students and volunteers from nearby Warren Wilson College even organize weekly rides to help people participate.

Attendance can vary depending on what else is happening at the school. Some evenings attract dozens of families, while others can be busier if there are sporting events or meetings scheduled.

Last week, organizers prepared 50 meals that were gone in about 20 minutes when a parent athletics meeting brought a large crowd.

For Thursday’s event, the team planned for about 100 meals.

For Wells, who once worked in Asheville’s restaurant industry, Community Night blends his experience with hospitality and education.

“This is my favorite night of the week,” he said.

The informal gatherings also give families a different way to experience the school, which serves about 470 students in the Swannanoa Valley.

Instead of parent-teacher conferences or disciplinary meetings, the focus is simply on spending time together.

“Parents meet each other, kids see their friends and teachers get to interact with families outside the classroom,” Wells said. “It just creates a different connection.”

With the spring schedule underway, Owen Middle School plans to host weekly Community Nights through the end of April, continuing a tradition organizers say helps strengthen ties between schools and the neighborhoods they serve.

Community Night runs from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., but the impact of the program reaches beyond the cafeteria.