Neighbors at the Lansford Townhouses gathered with others in the surrounding community to share each other’s culture and unique heritage through food at a Juneteenth celebration Monday.

Spearheaded by resident Kerry Baugh, the event began as a way to bring people in the complex together three years ago.

While Juneteenth is a federal holiday observing the end of slavery in the United States, Baugh wanted the holiday to celebrate peoples’ differences and learn about each other’s backgrounds.

“What brings people together better than food?” said Baugh, an immigrant from Jamaica and survivor of domestic violence.

She made foods popular in her native Jamaica, such as ox tails, brown stewed chicken and Jamaican jerk chicken, and invited her neighbors to do the same - bringing food from their own cultures and backgrounds, she said.

Then, everyone met in the complex’s center circle to sample the different cuisines and get to know their neighbors, Baugh said.

Neighbors enjoyed the picnic so much, they agreed to do it again the following year and the turnout was amazing, she said.

But they had way more food than people, Baugh said.

This year, the food went fast - really fast. Within a half-hour, large, foil trays emptied, but more was expected later, she said.

People sat together at a long table, while others made a picnic on the ground or gathered in chairs under the trees. Children ran through bubbles, while music played across the circle.

Rachael Lorgent of Lansford, sat with her young son, J.P., at the end of the long table, sampling the different foods.

“This is pretty cool,” she said, looking around at those gathered.

The free event was open not only to the 51 families in the complex, but also those in the surrounding community, said Tammy Anthony, complex manager, who gives Baugh all the credit for the event.

Anthony said her only contribution was saying yes to an event that brings neighbors together and showcases their talents.

“There are really good people here,” she said.

Heather Gray, a resident at the town houses for 17 years, said it’s a great event. She enjoys getting out of her home and talking to her neighbors, who she might not get to talk to otherwise, she said.

Baugh is happy to see her neighbors out, talking and enjoying each other’s company. When she started the event, the country and even the local community, was divided, she said.

“The Hispanics didn’t know how to talk to the white people, and the white people didn’t know how to talk to the Hispanics,” Baugh said. “Food brings everyone together.”

Baugh hopes this becomes a tradition that will continue to bring people out of the homes and together to share a meal - and friendship - no matter their backgrounds.