The Interfaith Collective hosted its third dinner Friday at the Farmville Community Marketplace.

“Tonight was fabulous,” said Patsy Watson, the coordinator for the Interfaith Collective. “We doubled in size the number of people attending and we hope to continue to grow, to offer this as a supportive environment for those who love their neighbors.”

About 70 people attended the event, Watson said.

“Our goal would be to get large enough so that we can shut down the street right here … and therefore when people come riding by they’re like, ‘What are those people doing down the street?’” Watson said.

She said the collective hopes to hold another dinner in about six months.

“I think weather has a lot to do when one would be held,” Watson said. “There is a readily-available supply of help from Longwood, so even doing it when the students are in is always helpful because there are groups that come and help move and all that type of stuff, so we would look for the spring. If not, possibly next fall.”

The collective began hosting meetings in February and hosted an outdoor dinner at Kenny’s Healthy Living Emporium at 410 S. Main St. over the summer.

The organization, led by community members of different faiths and denominations, seeks to bring people of diverse faith backgrounds together in a safe environment to enjoy a meal and conversation.

Friday’s dinner included dishes that community members brought that reflected their faith and heritage.

“It’s good for the community for everybody to come together, especially in the time that we’re living in now,” said Ty Carter, a member of the Islamic Center of Prince Edward. “We get to know one another, you know, and food is the best way to come together and just conversate.”

Carter said everyone is friendly and welcoming in the area and the dinner serves as a great way for neighbors to come together and be neighborly.

“You know what was kind of interesting to me, as I walked up, although there were various faiths here, I knew a lot of the people here from other aspects of just the community,” said Khalil Latif who serves as an amir, or a religious leader, at the Islamic Center of Prince Edward. “A bunch of the golfers and, you know, we have different faiths, but I guess we share the notion that we’re all part of the same community.”

Donations received during the meal Friday will be given to the Town of Farmville to go to the Farmville Community Marketplace.

“It’s been a blessing,” said Rodney Lewis, the Farmville Community Marketplace manager, regarding the collective. “It’s a good thing.”