Do you want to host a neighborhood event?

To reserve event resources, click here.

If you are considering hosting an event, we will be able to answer all of your questions and help you decide for sure if you want to do this.

We can also provide supplies for your private event, at no cost.

We can help you schedule an event for any size group, from five people and up.

Does the event you host need to be a potluck dinner? No. That is the type of event neighbors host most often. But we can help you host other types of events, or simply help publicize your event and invite the neighbors who have signed up to receive invites. Other type of events include putluck lunches, potluck breakfasts, non-potluck dinner parties, "eat out" events (at restaurants), birthday parties, watch parties, book club, etc.

The main thing that the host provides is the location. Typically hosts also decide on a theme (if any) and make decisions about what type of food to bring.

Hosts do not need to do anything for the guest list. Hosts are of course welcome to invite people they know. But we already have a list of people on your block and in your neighborhood who have signed up to attend these events. This could be a neighborhood-specific event, or general event open to anybody on the list. We can handle everything with regards to invitations, RSVPs, guest lists, etc.

We can provide chairs, tables, tablecloths, ladders, eating utensils, cooking utensils, serving utensils, silverware, plates, bowls, glasses, electric balloon inflators, etc.

An 8-foot rectangle table can seat 10 people. A 6-foot rectangle table can comfortably seat 8 people. A 5-foot rectangle table can seat 8 people. A 5-foot round table can comfortably seat 8 people, and a maximum of 9 people fit a bit more tightly. A 5 foot, 9 inch round table can seat 10 people.

Note that we have enough cloth tablecloths to cover all rectangle and round tables. The round tablecloths are 107 in. or 108 in. in diameter, providing significant drop (about a foot above the floor) on our 5 ft. round tables.

We use the commercial coffee urn to heat up water for hot chocolate and herbal tea.

We look forward to hearing from you, and getting your event on the calendar.

-Preston Hunter, list coordinator
To contact us, click here.

Below: These resources are free to use for neighborhood events:

[Click on the images below to see full-resolution images:]

tables	tables	tables	tables
tables	tables	tables	tables
tables	non-bifold rectangle tables (donated by Christine)	6-foot non-bifold rectangle table (donated by Christine)	5-foot non-bifold rectangle tables (donated by Christine)
non-bifold rectangle tables (donated by Christine)	rectangle tablecloths (98" x 58")	round tablecloths	gold round tablecloths
gold round tablecloths (6)	red round tablecloths	red round tablecloths (6)	black round tablecloths
black round tablecloths (6)	black round tablecloths (6)	sage green round tablecloths	sage green round tablecloths (6)
royal blue round tablecloths	royal blue round tablecloths (6)	gold smooth satin rectangle tablecloths (6)	gold smooth satin rectangle tablecloths (6)
plates	plates	chairs	black chairs
gray chairs	tan chairs	padded chairs	black chair
gray chair	tan chair	padded chair	additional chairs donated to group
water dispenser	silverware	forks	spoons
spoons	spoons	tea spoons	steak knives
steak knives	steak knives	steak knives	steak knives
dinner forks	dinner spoons	dinner knives	bamboo silverware organizer / holder
dinner forks	dinner knives	dinner spoons	dinner utensils/silverware: knives, forks, spoons
plastic drinking glasses	plastic drinking glass
5-gallon water jug	cooler (with drinks in it)	coolers	coolers
tables and chairs used at birthday party luau	round tablecloths and ladder used at birthday party	round tablecloths and ladder used at birthday party	bifold round table
bifold round table	13 additional round tables	round table	round table with white tablecloth
round table with white tablecloth	paper and plastic products "go kit": disposable plates, utensils, bowls, napkins, cups	paper and plastic products "go kit": disposable plates, utensils, bowls, napkins, cups	serving utensils
serving utensils	serving utensils	serving utensils	serving utensils
serving utensils	serving utensils	serving utensils donated by Krystal	serving utensils donated by Krystal
serving utensils donated by Krystal	serving utensils donated by Krystal	serving utensils donated by Krystal	serving utensils donated by Krystal
pie servers (24)	electric balloon inflator	electric balloon inflater	ladder (Little Giant Leveler) - can reach up to 18 ft.
ladder (Little Giant Leveler)	ladder (Little Giant Leveler)	ladder (Little Giant Leveler)	ladder (Little Giant Leveler)
ladder (Little Giant Leveler)	ladder (Little Giant Leveler)	ladder (Little Giant Leveler)	ladder (Little Giant Leveler)
six-foot step ladder	six-foot step ladder	six-foot step ladder	Honeywell TC10PEU Compact Evaporative Tower Air Cooler with Fan and Humidifier
Honeywell TC10PEU Compact Evaporative Tower Air Cooler with Fan and Humidifier	portable tower air coolers with fan and humidifier	commercial coffee urn / hot water heater	commercial coffee urn / hot water heater
commercial coffee urn / hot water heater	commercial coffee urn / hot water heater	easel	easel with pad retainer for flip charts
table top easel	table top easel	table top easel	4" x 6" table top sign holder
4" x 6" table top sign holder	4" x 6" table top sign holders	4" x 6" table top sign holders	portable whiteboard (23" X 35")
portable whiteboard (23" X 35")	metal ice bucket	transparent plastic ice bucket	transparent plastic ice bucket
bussing tote	bussing tote	bussing tote	tablecloth clips (large, fit tables up to 2.4" thickness)
tablecloth clips (regular, fit tables up to 1.77" thickness)	tablecloth clips (regular, fit tables up to 1.77" thickness)	microwave	microwave
smart TV	smart TV	smart TV	smart TV
reusable / disposable table covers	disposable drinking cups

Questions and Answers

Q. What does it cost?

A. These are free to use for anybody hosting neighborhood events. These are also free for anybody who belongs to the neighborhood potluck group or the local Buy Nothing group or the Tempe Stake, to use for any purpose.

Q. Can I borrow supplies without organizing an event through the neighborhood group?

A. Yes.

Q. Is this only for the Shalimar neighborhood?

A. No. Many of the neighbors in the group live in the Shalimar neighborhood. But most neighbors in the group live OUTSIDE of the Shalimar neighborhood. These resources are for people throughout Tempe as well as neighboring neighborhoods adjoining Tempe.

Q. What is the minimum size of an event I may schedule/organize through the group?

A. 5 people

Q. What is the maximum size of an event I can schedule/organize through the group?

A. There is no maximum. You can schedule "unlimited seating" events.

Q. Who can host?

A. Most events are hosted by individual neighbors. But pretty much anybody in the community can host events, and many other types of groups have hosted events: church, synagogue, mosque, political party, business, fraternal organization, non-profit, government department/agency, club, etc.

Q. I am interested in hosting an event, but I am unsure about how to go about doing it.

A. You really don't need to know anything. We can walk you through the steps. But really, hosting a neighborhood event is far simple than you might think. If you have nothing more than a place to invite some people to and a desire to do so, you can do this with minimal effort. You don't even need to know any people to invite. The neighborhood group already has the list of neighbors who want to be invited to these events. And of course you can invite people who are not on that list, whether it is individuals or an entire group you belong to.

Q. Are you able to provide the location/venue?

A. Most hosts provide the location for the event. But we can typically provide a location/venue if necessary.