Hi Jessica, are you cooking "all" of the food? The firstb thing that I would do it find out how many would help plain a menu and help prepare the food. Then plan a menu, is it's going to be "pot luck" then after you make a menu, contact everyone to see who wants to bring what. Lots of luck, let us know what you done and how it was

Why NOT cook it all...Don't be that way. Be a sport and take your job home with ya...LOL..

I wouldn't want to take the joy of cooking away from anyone else!!

 I'm NOT cooking it all..

What kinds of activities do you have planned? I would take a small group of volunteers around the neighborhood just after dark (with flashlights of course) and make a list of any safety concerns that homeowners need to address such as poor lighting and easy entry for burglars. Come up with suggestions to fix any problems and address these at a meeting prior to the food and festivities. Do you have someone from law enforcement to speak? Are there any elderly or disabled neighbors who need a buddy in the event of an emergency to help them until police, fire or other rescue arrive? Does anyone know self defense that they can teach others? Plan to have neighbors swap phone numbers with their four closest neghbors and make sure everyone has a list of police, fire,and emergency phone numbers. As for the food, I would get a list of what everyone is bringing just to be sure there are not a lot of the same dishes. Are funds provided for the drinks and paper supplies? Set aside an area for games for the kids (and kids at heart) and look for activities that require alot of interacting so people will get to know each other. I hope this helps and I hope you all have fun!

Thank you so much Boobearsmom! You have some great ideas to help get organized and have a great time! I appreciate your response!

interesting and inspiring response Boobearsmom!

This reminds me of years ago, when my family lived in a 40-unit apartment complex where I was assistant manager.

We had regular blockwatch parties in the central courtyard with a big BBQ and pot luck dishes. We invited a few law enforcement officers to speak about ways for keeping our neighborhood safe. A  D.A.R.E. officer addressed the youths about staying off drugs, out of gangs and staying in school.

In addition to everyone bringing a food or dessert dish to the party we asked all the neighbors to bring as many coolers as they had and we filled them with ice and soda cans. We placed several empty 30 gallon trashcans around the area for trash and some designated for the cans (cut a hole in the lid and spraypaint "cans only" in a contrasting color).  At the end of the party all the empty cans were collected and added to the regular aluminum recyling bin. The funds from trading the cans in were used at the next party to purchase paper plates, napkins, plastic cups and forks etc.