If I invited you to lunch at the SAME Café you wouldn’t know it was a non-profit organization if it weren’t for the donation box standing where you’d expect a cash register. I’d choose SAME any day over Panera, the food is amazing. And healthy! That’s probably why so many people who have the means to pay for meals still come to SAME, which also explains how it can be self-sustaining.
I just can’t rave enough about SAME. I appreciate Brad & Libby’s attention to the unspoken needs of their customers, namely their dignity. I like how their model is nearly self-sustaining and not dependent on donors or fund raising. I also like how their mission isn’t to get people out of poverty, but to be a service to those who are in poverty. There aren’t any hidden strings attached requiring change. And the thing I probably love most about Brad and Libby’s story is that they love what they are doing. They are impacting the world in ways they are good at and enjoy. This demonstrates that acts of service don’t have to be huge sacrificial acts.
I could go on, but I’d love to hear what you guys think about Brad & Libby’s idea. And if you’re ever in Denver be sure to visit them, their website is below.
Updating…
SAME Cafe is in Denver, Colorado. Check out their website.
rock. on.
What an awesome, affirming idea! Making great food available in a ‘dining experience’ for everyone, not just those who can afford it.
I love it, and wish I could experience it first hand.
Thanks for sharing this story. I remember when you took us there last year for lunch before the Off The Map Live Denver conference.
The food was excellent. Being able to go back for just a little more soup
– what fun – it was almost like dining at home – only better.
Knowing our money was going to support this – instead of a big corporation’s CEO’s bonus – but actually contributing to the neighborhood was a powerful motivator to pay for lunch plus a little more.
Watching busy professionals sitting in the same space as those who were homeless – and having the same food and service experience was how it should be. All welcomed at the table..
Thanks for the reminder.
Wow. I’m blown away. What a powerful and innovative idea. Amazing attention to detail so that people are also paid attention to.
Good food, good service. Sounds like a blessing from God.
Though I don’t live in Denver, I have enjoyed the food, spirit, and hospitality of SAME Cafe many times when I’ve visited Denver. Volunteering there has been an equally satisfying experience. It’s obvious that Brad and Libby love what they do and they provide a service to the community like no other. I only wish I could be a part of the SAME Cafe family every day. While the food is awesome, Brad and Libby feed the souls of their customers.
What an awesome idea. I live below poverty level and do not ask for assistance mostly because of embarassment. I wish there was something like that here that I could go and not feel the shame of wondering what that check may be when it comes out and if I will have enough to cover it. What a blessing!
This video is an excellent depiction of the work done at SAME Cafe! Nice work in creating it and hats off to Brad & Lib on continuing to make the world a better place one meal at a time!
Thanks Libby and Brad… wonderful video… keep up the great work you are doing/being for all of us! With much love and gratitude, Sandy
Like it. Interested in what it means by “nearly” self sufficient – can someone explain more about that?
Hi Joe!
From my understanding, about 70-75% of SAME’s operating costs are covered solely by the cash collected in the donation box in the restaurant. The other 25-30% comes in through more traditional donors. Having such a high percentage coming in this fashion frees Brad & Libby up to focus on operating the restaurant and not fund raising or grant writing.
Thanks Craig, I wouldn’t call that even ‘nearly’ self sufficient – that is dependent on donations for 25% of the running cost. Which somewhat undermines the project in some ways.
That said, I really like the attitude and way they do things
Yeah Joe, that probably could have been phrased a bit better. I think the remaining 25% comes in from people excited about what SAME is doing without any effort (not as a result of donation letters, banquets, or other fund raisers). The point I was trying to draw out is that Brad & Libby are running a restaurant as a non-profit, not the other way around. Thanks for keeping me honest!
I closely relate with what Libby said about there being some people who feel comfortable using soup kitchens and food banks but others who feel uncomfortably embarrassed by it/themselves/their current situation. I can say that having no other choice, I have used a food bank and was extremely uncomfortable. Not uncomfortable because I may come in contact with other people who have hit hard times, but uncomfortable that people may look at me (coming in work attire) and decide that I wasn’t “poor enough” to use these services. My husband lost his job, we had to file for bankruptcy, and we were being evicted from our house. I was the sole-supporter of our 4 person household with my low paying secretarial job. It was very difficult to make ends meet and I had no other choice but to go to the food bank on my lunch hour once a week to get enough food for us to meagerly eat on until the next week. I would have loved to have had the fellowship and human respect that the SAME cafe seems to bring to its patrons.
Wow, Sara, thanks for sharing this! Do you think your experiences at the food bank could have been better under different management or do you think that these attitudes are built into the food bank model? What do you think it would take for your experiences to have been better?
Oh my goodness!! Now I’m not even old enough to have a job (thanks Kansas law!) but this is an INCREDIBLE idea!! I am seriously considering starting one here… Of course thats a looooooooooooong shot but you have to start from somewhere right? God made people to help one another and the earth plus its beings…. Are all of us doing our part? This is the best idea since sliced white bread and I can’t WAIT to tell my parents, teachers, coaches, ANYONE who will lend a hand and listen… Thank You sooooo much RYF you’ve opened my eyes to the greater good!
I can’t say that I know the answers to those questions. I think if you’ve never been in a situation, it can be very difficult to truly understand and truly give a certain amount of gentleness and respect. I say that because I do believe that the workers of the food bank are trying to do their best, but they are probably burnt out by “doing” and probably needing more to give to the public in this harsh economically challenged time. I would imagine there is very little “reward” for helping at the food bank/crisis center. I wish I could pinpoint why it was sooo uncomfortable, but really, it probably all stems from me and my own ideas not the centers. Libby and Brad’s food cafe has such a different feel to it that I think there can be no preconceived ideas on who they or I might think “deserves” this type of “help”. Plus, the idea of being able to work off what I can’t afford to pay for is so appealing for those of us who can’t stand taking something for free. (Imagine how hard it is to really deal with the costly gift that Jesus gave us freely) I don’t know if that answered anything, but those are some more of my thoughts.