According to a recent survey from RAND and The Connection Institute, 41% of American adults feel lonely at least some of the time. Over half of American adults do not belong to clubs or organizations, while nearly two-thirds do not get together with neighbors to do something positive for the community.
Confronting a societal crisis of this scale and complexity could easily feel overwhelming. Yet, Providence residents Dan Kenis, Eli Rose, and Cheri Zhou are proving that having a simple reason to gather—sharing a love of cheese—can make a big impact.
Kenis, Rose, and Zhou are the founders of The People’s Cheese Club, which began in January of 2026. “The three of us love cheese and are also community-oriented,” said Rose, who is a structural engineer. “Trying different cheeses is fun and exciting, but it’s not always the most affordable. We were reflecting on how we could turn our passion for cheese into something accessible and fun.” This eventually led them to ask the question: “What if we had a club where everybody brought a cheese, so people could try more cheeses more easily and more affordably?”
The People’s Cheese Club founders, left to right: Cheri Zhou, Eli Rose, and Dan Kenis.
The three sketched out the idea further and began purposefully planning what it could look like. For the three founders, it was important to ensure that their plans would actually stick and resonate with the community. Several Google docs and a thoughtful mission statement later, The People’s Cheese Club was born. Their mission statement reads: “The People’s Cheese Club was founded with the goal of using a shared love of cheese to foster meaningful human connection with an emphasis on affordability and inclusivity. We welcome all people of all backgrounds and levels of cheese experience to engage with new flavors, meet new people, and form long-lasting connections to the Providence community.”
The People’s Cheese Club hosts its monthly gatherings at Kimi’s, a bar on the West End of Providence. Typically, about 50 to 60 attendees show up, each bringing a block, wedge, or tub of cheese with optional accompaniments to share with one another. To round out the spread, Kenis, Rose, and Zhou supply crackers, grapes, and apples. Guests mingle and sample the impressive spread of cheeses, then vote on their favorites. Some winning cheeses from past meetings have included “Prairie Breeze,” a twist on a well-aged cheddar made with milk from Amish and Mennonite farms in Iowa, purchased from Costantino’s Venda Ravioli on Atwells Ave; and “Weydelend Unieck,” a four-year gouda purchased from Wickford Cheese in North Kingstown that is described as a hard, tangy cheese with sweet undertones of roasted nuts caramel, and toffee.
Kenis, who works as an urban designer, hand draws all the eye-catching artwork for The People’s Cheese Club. “I make a new poster for every single event. Growing up, I always wanted to be a comic book artist and was really into illustration,” said Kenis, describing his posters’ distinct and whimsical aesthetic.
Kenis hand-draws all the art and promotional materials for The People’s Cheese Club. Art courtesy of Dan Kenis.
As The People’s Cheese Club hits its seventh month, Kenis, Rose, and Zhou shared how they are balancing staying organized but also flexible in their journey of running a successful social club in the city. For instance, as someone who is inherently a planner, Zhou explained that she initially would worry about having enough structure at the meetings and things for people to do and respond to. “As a tattoo artist, I am used to doing things with a lot of precision and planning. But what I learned from the Cheese Club is that no matter what happens, people are still going to have fun,” said Zhou.
Indeed, gatherings are bustling with curiosity and enthusiasm. At the July meeting, attendees ask one another about the cheeses they brought and which ones they like so far. “I’m always looking for opportunities in Providence to meet people with like-minded hobbies. I have met so many wonderful people from all different walks of life through this community connection that’s been created,” said Samara, a People’s Cheese Club attendee. “It’s just a wonderful way to socialize and eat a ton of cheese.”
As word has spread, The People’s Cheese Club’s growing popularity has meant running into overwhelming demand and limited capacity. “Hearing that it has been difficult for people to sign up is not what we want, “said Zhou. To keep the gatherings accessible, they pivoted to a more thoughtful registration strategy. In addition to announcing their meetings in advance, which allow people to prepare and set reminders, they introduced a way for new people to be prioritized. “We’ve implemented a system where the people who are on the waitlist or don’t end up getting to come get first dibs on the next Cheese Club,” noted Zhou.
Beyond forging social connections at their gatherings, The People’s Cheese Club is continually building partnerships with local businesses. “We have pretty close relationships with a few local cheese shops,” says Kenis. “Providence has such a vibrant arts and culture community,” noted Kenis, “I am excited for all the collaborations we have in the pipeline with artists, restaurants, and creators.”
Zhou agreed, noting how the community has really opened their hearts and minds to the Cheese Club. A prime example of this community support is from Kimi Rich, the owner of the namesake bar, who offered to host the club entirely free of charge. For the founders, this generosity is a reflection of the shared ethos deeply ingrained in Providence: one where local businesses and residents support and help one another thrive.
This spirit of collaboration is culminating towards The People’s Cheese Club’s inaugural “The People’s Cheese Fest,” which will take place on Saturday, July 11 from 2-6pm at the 60 Valley Street Courtyard by Riff Raff. The event will feature food and arts vendors, and celebrate community, culture, art, and of course, cheese. “Finding interesting ways to tie what we are doing with other local businesses is where I want to put in my energy and focus,” said Kenis, describing the club’s future plans.
The People’s Cheese Club is completely self-funded by Kenis, Rose, and Zhou. Attendees can purchase stickers and posters designed by Kenis, which go back towards supplies and accoutrements for the Cheese Club gatherings. Despite juggling day jobs, the group sees running The People’s Cheese Club as a joyful, fulfilling project they get to do as friends. “It’s a nice thing that Eli, Dan, and I started as friends. I feel like we’re often on the same page and things move very smoothly,” noted Zhou. Their strong mission and vision continually drives them forward. “What has meant the most to me is that there is somewhat of a community that we have built where anybody feels welcome,” said Rose. He added, “I think we have really cultivated a good crowd of people who want to have a good time with one another at our meetings.”
While it is easy to become overwhelmed by the state of loneliness and social disengagement, Kenis, Rose, and Zhou’s experience is a testament to how a fun idea shared among friends is completely doable and impactful. “Anyone can do exactly what we are doing,” said Kenis, reflecting on their journey. Their final takeaway is a straightforward call to action for everyone looking to build community: “Just do stuff.”
Learn more about The People’s Cheese Club and their events by following their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepeoplescheeseclub/
Amber Ma lives on the west end of Providence with her husband and two cats. She loves gardening, shopping at farmers markets, and cooking with local and homegrown ingredients. She is also passionate about transit, sustainability, and pollinators. She is a volunteer at the Community Cat Center in Johnston. She and her husband went car-free in 2022 and are always exploring the city by foot, bike, or bus.
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