Successful First Beehive Dinner 🐝

Soni, Toby, and Janice getting ready for The Beehive

On March 14, we hosted our very first Beehive Dinner—and it was everything we hoped it would be: warm, welcoming, and full of genuine connection.

We are so pleased to share that we hosted our very first Beehive Dinner on March 14—and it was a full house.

We sold out all 40 tickets and welcomed 18 volunteers (including 7 teenagers!) who helped bring the evening to life. From the moment people arrived, the room was buzzing with conversation, laughter, art-making, and games. It was exactly the kind of warm, connected atmosphere we hoped to create.

Thank you to everyone who came ready to support our mission of building community together. And a big thank you to our volunteers!

What we heard from participants

We gathered feedback through comment cards, volunteer reflection forms, and mini-interviews conducted by a volunteer evaluator. The results from those who filled out the comment cards were incredibly encouraging:

• 97% of attendees agreed or strongly agreed they felt welcomed

• Everyone talked to someone they didn’t know

• Over 75% talked to four or more new people

• 24% attended alone—something we see as a strong sign that people felt comfortable stepping into this space

• 85% said they would attend another Beehive Dinner

What made the night special

One of the amazing bees created by a participant #artforthewin

When we asked what stood out, a few themes came through clearly:

• Meaningful, easy conversations with new people

• A shared openness—people were genuinely willing to connect

• The food (always important!)

• The arts & crafts table, which helped both kids and adults engage in a more relaxed way

We also heard that serving dinner family-style—passing dishes around the table—was a simple but powerful way to spark conversation and connection.

One participant shared:

“I was pessimistic because I’m an introvert, but the setting turned out to be very friendly and comfortable.”

Another highlighted the intergenerational feel of the evening:

“This event brought together families—there is an intergenerational belonging (children, middle-aged, and seniors). Nice to see the mix.”

And another captured what makes The Beehive feel different:

“It feels like a wedding reception where people generate their own relationships… organic and no pressure.”

Volunteers felt it too

Our volunteers also had a very positive experience. All respondents said they felt a sense of belonging, and all indicated they would be likely to volunteer again. That sense of shared ownership is something we’re really excited to keep building.

What we’re learning

We also gathered helpful ideas for next time, including:

• Milk for tea (instead of cream!)

• Incorporating more live or informal music—thanks to the spontaneous piano playing that added so much to the atmosphere

• Reaching out to a broader mix of ages and groups in the community

Looking ahead (and how to get involved)

We have lots to reflect on as we prepare for our next dinner—coming up quickly on April 18.

We have a seat waiting for you at the next Beehive dinner!

If you’re curious about The Beehive, this is a great time to join us:

• Buy a ticket for the next dinner and come experience it for yourself

• Come on your own or bring a friend—both are equally welcome

• Volunteer with us if you’d like to help create the space and meet people in a different way

• Join our mailing list / follow along to hear about future dinners and events

• Help us spread the word by sharing The Beehive with friends, neighbours, community groups, and local organizations—everyone is welcome, and we’d love your help reaching people who might benefit from this space

Our goal is simple: to create a space where people can show up, feel welcomed, and connect with others in a genuine, low-pressure way.

Mark your calendars—we’d love to see you at the next Beehive Dinner.

Have questions or want to get involved? Reach out to us or keep an eye on upcoming events—we’re just getting started.