Do you want to host a neighborhood event? Or a private event?

To reserve event resources, click here.

The neighborhood potluck group provides event resources at no cost. Anybody in the area who wants to host a neighborhood event may freely borrow event supplies. We also provide these supplies (for free) to all members of the neighborhood potluck group (and a few associated groups) for any use, including private events (such as birthday parties, wedding showers, estate sales, garage sales, graduation parties, etc.).

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

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. We currently have enough tables to seat 287 people.

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 urns 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)
white rectangle tablecloths (98" x 58")
white 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
black rectangle tablecloths (60" x 102")
black rectangle tablecloths (60" x 102")
black rectangle tablecloths (60" x 102")
lavender lilac rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
lavender lilac rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
violet amethyst rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
violet amethyst rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
purple rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
purple rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
royal blue rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
royal blue rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
yellow rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
yellow rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
champagne rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
champagne rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
dusty rose rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
dusty rose rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
cinnamon rose rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
cinnamon rose rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
nude rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
nude rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
pink rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
pink rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
pink rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
terracotta rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
terracotta rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
taupe rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
taupe rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
orange rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
orange rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
burgundy rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
burgundy rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
apple green rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
apple green rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
silver rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
silver rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
ivory rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
ivory rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
ivory rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
white rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
white rectangle tablecloth (60" x 102")
plates
plates
chairs
black chairs
gray chairs
tan chairs
gray padded chairs
black chair (steel)
gray chair (steel)
tan chair (steel)
beige chair (steel)
gray 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
salt and pepper shakers
salt and pepper shakers
salt and pepper shakers
Monoprice 10 x 10ft Easy Setup Foldable Pop-Up
Canopy Tent (provided by Jeff)
(depending on availability)
5-gallon water jug
cooler (with drinks in it)
coolers
coolers
soft cooler
soft cooler
soft cooler
soft cooler
soft cooler
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 utensil bins
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
serving utensils donated by Lucky
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
50-cup steel percolating coffee urn
50-cup steel percolating coffee urn
50-cup steel percolating coffee urn
easel: dual-purpose, black aluminum
adjustable height 35 in. - 65 in.; supports up to 20 lb.
easel: dual-purpose, black aluminum
shown with pad retainer for flip charts
easel: dual-purpose, heavy-duty aluminum
adjustable height. 37 in - 69 in.; supports up to 30 lb.
easel: dual-purpose, heavy-duty aluminum
adjustable height. 37 in - 69 in.; supports up to 30 lb.
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
magnetic dart board
magnetic dart board
magnetic dart board
reusable / disposable table covers
disposable drinking cups
potluck dinner sign:
aluminum yard sign
potluck dinner sign:
mounted poster
potluck dinner sign:
mounted poster

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. May 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. 4 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.