Community gathers at Human Rights Education Institute for holiday meal

COEUR d'ALENE — A festive feast paired with a social smorgasbord Monday evening as the 104th Monday Night Dinner took over the Human Rights Education Institute in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

Babies in Santa hats, jazz musicians in dapper suits, best friends, complete strangers and everyone in between came to the holiday-themed dinner, which featured sweet and savory fare ranging from cookies, cakes and cocoa to pizza, lasagna, fried chicken and chili.

"I think it's wonderful," said Quin Conley of Coeur d'Alene, who has been to a handful of Monday Night Dinners. "After going to a lot of these, I love it. I've gained so many friends on Facebook, gotten a few phone numbers."

Monday Night Dinners are important because they bring together the community, Conley said, and they serve as a venue for making friends.

"Everybody is welcome," he said.

People trickled into HREI from the rainy night, bringing donations of clothing and toys for children in need, as well as sharable dishes and a few bucks for the band.

Debbie Dixon of Coeur d'Alene and Lisa Hall of Dalton Gardens sported cute holiday aprons as they attended their first Monday Night Dinner.

"We're here as helpers," Dixon said.

Hall said she's read about Monday Night Dinners in the Coeur d'Alene Press and helped out when founder Adam Schluter needed a hand with construction tasks, but she'd never actually gone to a dinner.

"I think it's fantastic," Hall said.

Dixon, who has lived in North Idaho for 30 years, said she loves everything community.

"This is just one more bonus about where we live," she said.

The Coeur d'Alene Monday Night Dinners began in 2018, born out of one of Schluter's favorite traditions and motivated by the desire for human connection when he arrived in Coeur d'Alene not knowing a soul.

"Every Monday night ... Me and my family, friends and anyone else that wanted to come would come and have an amazing meal together, over wine and beer, and just have wonderful conversation," Schluter shares in the event description on social media. "It was our one way to say, 'I know everyone is incredibly busy but let's all set aside this one night, for a couple hours, to always make sure we get together.'"

The event has grown from a small potluck to a beloved gathering of friends and perfect strangers who come to Schluter's house every other week for food, libations and live music from May through autumn. This was the second year for a Holiday Monday Night Dinner, trading sunshine and a backyard concert for a cozy indoor meal on a wet December evening.

Lynne Cop-Fullbrook of Coeur d'Alene said she too experienced the loneliness of being a transplant when she came to North Idaho from Canada.

"I remember arriving 30 years ago and feeling like, 'I have no community, no people,'" she said. "I remember feeling lost and lonely without my family and having to rely on friends, so I'm trying to pay it back."

She was also enjoying her first Monday Night Dinner, to which she invited friends who are new to the area from Oregon.

"And I wanted to meet Adam and be a part of this," she said. "I'm a social person."

Schluter approached the microphone to share a short announcement and thank the businesses and individuals who donated food and other goods.

"I am emotional seeing how many people," he said. "It's so, so incredible ... I love you guys, I am so thankful."

He said it took an army of people to make the evening possible.

"What I love about Monday Night Dinners in our community and all of you guys is this is made up of all individuals," Schluter said. "This is not big companies; this is not tons of money. This is people showing up, doing what they can to help, to bring food, to support, to donate something to make this possible."

Monday Night Dinners are free, however guests are encouraged to bring $10 to support local bands and performers. The 2026 season of Monday Night Dinners will commence in May.

    Monday Night Dinners founder Adam Schluter shares a brief announcement before dinner Monday at HREI. The holiday dinner marked the 104th Monday Night Dinner since they began in 2018.
  

    Todd Bellefeuille carries Village Bakery bread to share with the community during the Holiday Monday Night Dinner at HREI in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
  

    Isaac Mann, sales manager for Bombastic Brewing, prepares to serve a beverage to Lynne Cop-Fullbrook during the 104th Monday Night Dinner, held with festive holiday flair at the Human Rights Education Institute.
  

    Izzy's Comfort Kitchen owner Reannan Keene sets down a hot pot of chili Monday during the Holiday Monday Night Dinner at the Human Rights Education Institute.
  

    First-timers raise their hands Monday during the Holiday Monday Night Dinner. The festive feast marked the 104th Monday Night Dinner to be enjoyed by the community since Coeur d'Alene's Adam Schluter began the local tradition in 2018.