One Table dinner in Modesto benefits United Way education effort

About 200 people gathered as one Sunday evening for an outdoor dinner benefiting a United Way education effort.

The inaugural One Table event took place in the middle of 15th Street between J and K streets, the guests seated at 33 tables pushed together for the cause.

The dinner is expected to net about $25,000 for the Graduation Coach program, said Amy Vickery, vice president for marketing and development at the United Way of Stanislaus County. The program aims to raise the number of students completing high school.

Donated wine from E.&J. Gallo Winery and food from other supporters went into the feast. Several noted chefs in the region did the cooking, including an entree by Gema Martinez of Redwood Café that featured pomegranate soy-glazed short ribs, couscous salad, sautéed spinach and roasted peppers with almonds.

David Darmstandler, co-founder of Datapath Inc. and chairman of the event, said he got the idea from a dinner in Park City, Utah. As the Modesto version got going on a warm summer evening, company co-founder James Bates noted the importance of education.

“We interview a lot of people, and they don’t have the soft skills,” he said. “They aren’t job-ready.”

Bates said the single table “gets people out of their silos and gets them talking.”

The $125 tickets sold out quickly, prompting organizers to think about spreading it across two blocks next year.

“One Table – everybody at a community dinner, like a family dinner,” said Francine DiCiano, president and CEO at the United Way branch.

This story was originally published June 7, 2015 at 7:58 PM with the headline "One Table dinner in Modesto benefits United Way education effort."