Sharing a family meal is good for the spirit, the brain, and the health of everyone at the table according to the message of #ComeToTheTableNebraska as delivered by Judges Anne Paine and Linda Bauer.

Beginning January 12, 2020 (the first Sunday after schools were back in session following winter break), Judges Paine and Bauer challenged grade school families in their respective districts to participate in a challenge to eat with their families. Student and their guardians are asked to post photos on social media of their meals using the hashtag: #ComeToTheTableNebraska using the official “Come to the Table Nebraska” Facebook page.

Acknowledging that time is one of the biggest obstacles to families gathering for dinner, the judges encouraged quick, easy meals served at the family table. Family is defined as whoever is caring for the child, be it a guardian, foster parent, grandparent-led family, or traditional family. The key is to have adult-child conversation and spend relaxed time at dinner.

The program is the brainchild of the McCook “Through the Eyes of a Child Team,” which has been adopted and promoted by the Fairbury team. 

Read more about the program:

• Nebraska Judicial Branch webpage
• Friend the program on Facebook: Come To The Table Nebraska
• McCook Gazette: Come To The Table, Paine 
• Benkelman Scoop: County Judge Promotes Family Meals at Culbertson Elementary, Paine
• Fairbury Journal-News: Come To The Table, Bauer 
• NCN: Judge Bauer issues 'family dinner challenge' to Fairbury fourth graders