This Sunday at Hazelwood Brewing on Main Street in Lexington, there will be a special gathering called the Midlands Mingle. This potluck event kicks off at 5:30 p.m., and there’s really only one rule that applies to what you can bring. The Mingle is committed to a plant-based lifestyle, so they kindly ask that all dishes brought to Midlands Mingle be free of meat, dairy, eggs and honey.

That’s right, this is a vegan event, held on the fourth Sunday of every month. People gather at various venues across the Midlands to celebrate community, compassion and delicious vegan dishes. There’s no membership required to attend; you merely need to bring your favorite plant-based dish to share, and connect with like-minded individuals in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

The Midlands Mingle is presented each month by Cotton Branch Farm Sanctuary on Lightwood Knot Road in Leesville, and when you read about the Sanctuary’s mission, it’s clear why they put on events like the Midlands Mingle.

Cotton Branch Farm Sanctuary concentrates providing care for pigs in need. They welcome pigs who have been abandoned, mistreated and forgotten, providing them with a safe haven where they can find solace and healing.

And when you think about it for a moment, you might realize how unusual that is, because while we hear about shelters for dogs, cats and other animals all the time, we don’t really hear pig rescue mentioned often. But a quick Google search will reveal dozens of articles about abandoned pigs all over the country, be it farm pigs or pets.

In fact, the Life With Pigs Farm Animal Sanctuary in Williamsburg, Va. says that 90% of adopted mini pigs are eventually abandoned.

In addition to offering adoption services, Cotton Branch Farm Sanctuary is driven by their mission, which a desire to educate and inspire.

On their website, part of their mission statement reads, “We strive to shed light on the often harsh realities faced by farm animals, raising awareness about the importance of sanctuaries in our communities. Through our compassionate outreach efforts, we aim to sow seeds of empathy and understanding, encouraging others to make mindful choices that honor the well-being of all living beings.”

Led by Executive Director Evan Costner and Refuge Team Director Joshua Carpenter, Cotton Branch Farm Sanctuary cares passionately about a segment of the animal population that most of us would never think of as abandoned pets.

And that’s why it makes complete sense that they’d create an event like the Midlands Mingle at Hazelwood Brewing Co., because it’s a plant-based safe space where people who are already inclined to help animals can meet and, perhaps, support Cotton Branch’s efforts.