On Wednesday, March 25, members of the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club joined Rotarians and community members from across the metro for an evening centered on connection, culture, and community impact. Hosted as part of the Rotary Community Core @ Lake Street initiative, the event brought together more than 60 attendees representing over half a dozen Rotary clubs, all with a shared purpose: to support South Minneapolis small businesses by simply showing up and sharing a meal.
The evening took place at Sanag Restaurant, where Chef and Owner Ali Hussein welcomed guests with both exceptional food and a deeply personal story.
Guests were treated to a generous buffet featuring a variety of foods, tikka masala, sambusa, hummus with pita, rice, vegetables, tea--and for many, a first-time experience tasting camel. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, with old friends reconnecting and new relationships forming across tables.
The Minneapolis Uptown Rotary Club was well represented, with members including Glenna Case and her husband Harlan, Bill Sweatt (who helped organize the event), Adam Kooyer, Katherine Voelkers (incoming member), Tom Sopoci and his wife, and Dale Snyder all in attendance. Among many veteran and respected Rotarians, incoming Rotary International Director Tom Gump (Edina Morningside) and his wife Catherine were also in attendance.
A highlight of the evening came as Chef Ali, with the help of an interpreter, shared his journey. With over 35 years of culinary experience, he spoke about starting his career in Grand Forks before bringing his restaurant to Minneapolis just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic--only to face immediate economic challenges.
Despite those setbacks, Sanag has now enjoyed more than two years serving the Lake Street, South Minneapolis, and Uptown communities with resilience and pride and good food.
In a particularly moving moment, Chef Ali was asked where he learned to cook. He paused, visibly emotional--tears in his eyes, and shared that his inspiration came from his mother, who has since passed. It was a quiet, powerful reminder of the personal stories behind the businesses we aim to support.
As the evening concluded, guests were invited to take home leftover food--a meaningful gesture that reflected the generosity of the host and the spirit of the community gathering.
This meal reminds us supporting local businesses doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s as simple as showing up, sharing a table, and being part of a community that chooses to invest in itself. Stay tuned to our Social Media and this website for more chances to attend dinners like this supporting South Minneapolis and area communities!
Stay Tuned! our next dinner is on April 22 at Mama Sheila's House of Soul. We hope you can make it!
