During the First Great Depression, people threw Rent Parties. The folks needing to make the rent would cook up a lot of spaghetti, a few gallons of sauce, a couple of loaves of bread. Someone would bring wine, maybe homemade. A Rent Jar was placed in a prominent spot and everyone put in whatever they could. Word went out and people responded.
Usually, you can get around the *commercial* designation if you just suggest a *free will donation* rather than charge by the plate.
This is how you eat in places like Cuba.