If you're going out to eat, it's a
good idea to find a restaurant dedicated to
helping a great cause. From pay-what-you-can cafes to
those providing job training, there are many places
to dine that give back to local communities.
In no particular order, here are several delicious
restaurants that also embrace philanthropy.
First up, at # 1 we have The
Mustard Seed Cafe, a faith-based, pay-what-you-can eatery in
El Paso Texas. This non-profit organization's mission is
to serve warm meals to those in need.
There are no set menus prices, or requirements
for guests.
Restaurant patrons may volunteer their time in exchange
for a meal, or may pay whatever they
are able to based on a suggested price.
The Mustard Seed Cafe has its own garden
that provides fresh produce for the cafe year-round.
At # 2 is the No Limits Cafe,
a lunch cafe in Red Bank, New Jersey
that trains and employs adults with intellectual disabilities.
The nonprofit's mission is to empower people by
providing jobs and job training, helping employees lead
fulfilling lives while promoting awareness of their potentials.
While many employees with intellectual disabilities are paid
below minimum wage in the United States, No
Limits Cafe makes a point to pay all
employees at, or above minimum wage. In addition,
the organization partners with other restaurants to place
its workshop trainees.
Next up at # 3 is F.A.R.M. Cafe
in Boone, North Carolina. This non-profit, pay-what-you-can restaurant
aims to relieve hunger in the local area
while working to strengthen the community. Patrons help
their neighbors by paying more than the suggested
donation, or by volunteering alongside other community members.
F.A.R.M. Cafe collects imperfect fruits and vegetables, over-ordered
items, and other foods at risk of going
to waste from local grocers farmers, and small
businesses. From this, volunteers prepare meal kits and
distribute them to organizations serving food-insecure individuals. This
non-profit organization received the 2017 Boone Chamber of
Commerce everGREEN Award for Leadership in Sustainability.
Next, at # 4 we have Curt's Cafe,
which has locations in Evanston and Highland Park
Illinois. This restaurant employs at-risk student-trainees from ages
fifteen through twenty-four, many of whom were formerly
incarcerated, in order to help them build positive
futures. This workforce training program offers life skills
support, a workforce development curriculum, and experiential opportunities.
Customers can order freshly brewed coffee, homemade pastries,
and other items sourced from local ingredients and
vendors. From 2012 through 2020, only 3% of
Curt's Cafe's students had returned to prison, as
opposed to state and national rates which were
both above 80%.
Finally, coming in at # 5 is Cafe
Momentum. A restaurant and culinary training facility, it
equips the community's most at-risk youth with life
skills education, and employment opportunities to help them
achieve their full potentials. Cafe Momentum serves fresh
locally-sourced, new American cuisine in the heart of
Downtown Dallas.
The nonprofit provides a paid, post-release internship program
for young folks coming out of juvenile facilities.
Interns rotate through all aspects of the restaurant,
focusing on life and social skills coaching, and
development. Those who graduate from the program are
placed in a job with one of many
community partners.