I can't be sure...but potlucks (covered dish gatherings) may have been a midwestern thing. It seems my early memories of them were at church gatherings. Then later sometimes groups of friends would do this as a matter of getting together. We once hosted a large summer party where we supplied the burgers, hotdogs and brats but asked folks to bring a "dish to pass" (share).
We always have loved potlucks. The thing about "having" to cook can go by the wayside here. We don't "have" to cook in our day to day lives, however to go to one of these folks generally make their favorite recipe! Just "one" dish to share with everyone!!
