SAME Café: Pay Only What You Can Afford
Without a doubt the SAME Café is a unique concept rarely heard of in today's society. In fact, it's the only café (as far as I know) having no prices on the menu, and were customers simply pay what they can afford for the food.
It probably sounds like something out a movie, but in fact you can find this amazing place in Denver. Brad and Libby Birky, who run the café, had previously worked in various shelters and soup kitchens before deciding to take a chance and open the SAME Café.
So, what's the belief behind this concept? Brad tells us:
"Everybody should be able to have a good, healthy meal, whether they can afford it or not."
For homeless people or others a little down on their fortune, this meal could cost as little as a few cents. If you have no money at all that's no problem either because you can simply work off your meal in the kitchen washing dishes, peeling vegetables, clearing tables, mopping floors, or doing whatever you can do.
But, for those who can afford to pay for their meal, many donate more than they would pay elsewhere because they too want to make a difference to help those less fortunate.
Not only is this idea wonderfully innovative, it also appears to be working incredibly well, reaching out to countless needy people in the process, and so far they've been able to meet their running costs week after week.
What I love about this idea is that it gives back a sense of worth to individuals. The SAME Café is not a soup kitchen. This is a flexible feasible way for people to eat when otherwise they may not have been able to, without making them feel like a charity case.
Another wonderful thing about this café is the strong emphasis placed on healthy foods made from scratch, which are largely organic. The menu changes daily, but you're always guaranteed two types of pizza, soup, salad and a home-made dessert.
Having read through some of the past menus they really do sound delicious and healthy, including items like tomato and basil soup; quinoa and black bean salad; pesto, olive, spinach and feta pizza; and fresh fruit salad.
The Birky's truly believe every human deserves to eat good food, and be treated with respect while being served. In times of rampant "self-ism," this is a refreshing change!
I'm interested in hearing from you:
What do you think of the SAME Café?
Do you believe that every human deserves to eat good food?
Perhaps you think it's wide open for misuse? Share your thoughts!
Via: MSNBC. Brad and Libby kindly gave permission to use images.
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I think that's a neat idea. Voluntary giving is what made America great, as opposed to the forced charity (read income redistribution) being carried out by the Obama administration on behalf of those they deem in need.
I definitely do not think "every human being deserves to eat good food."
A mass murderer doing life in a federal penitentiary does not deserve to eat good food. They deserve to eat bland gruel that provides the basic nutrients their body needs to sustain life but only so they can rot away in their jail cell for as long as possible.
ReplyThat was a pretty unnecessary political rant ...
ReplyThis is the internet, my dear. Nothing is unnecessary.
ReplyHah... holy crap Barry, for once I have to agree with you. Imagine that! I think I'm seeing cows fly.
And this idea ROCKS, but it's nothing new. The web has revolved around this tactic for YEARS. It's called BLOGs with a "donation" option. But, the operating cost for an online blog is pretty much insignificant, so mad respect to a brick & mortar business that can sustain itself... specially in this economy.
Actually come to think of it, I think this economy might be HELPING it.
ReplyOther pay what you can restaurants:
ReplyTerra Bite Lounge in Kirkland, WA
One World Everybody Eats in Salt Lake City, Utah
Der Wiener Deewan in Vienna, Austria
Little Bay Restaurant in Islington, England
This just made my night. I love it. My faith in humanity ebbs and flows. Reading about this couple, their business and hearing it is working...it is rewarding.
Sometimes I find the Diet blogsphere surreal in light of what I have seen in the world.
Best wishes to Brad and Libby. Thanks to the customers for supporting them
good night
ReplyDitto. This temporarily restores my faith in the fact that most humans are good, caring individuals. This is a GREAT idea, and it doesn't surprise me that it's working...
ReplyJust as long as it works and stays afloat. I once grew organic fruit and operated an honesty box at the gate. My faith in humanity took blow after blow. I even witnessed a wealthy looking woman in a BMW pinch some fruit... I would give away fruit to someone who really needed it in a heartbeat -- but lotsa folk will do anything for free stuff...
ReplyWhat a cool idea! I love that not only is this cafe about people helping people, the fact that the food is healthy is great too! This story gives me a nice warm fuzzy feeling!
ReplyI had heard about this place on the news & I agree with Mike, Valerie & Shauna... what a wonderful idea! Ann, thx for sharing the other restaurants!
ReplyI also think it's a pretty neat idea. We did something very similar to this as a fundraiser for our church's youth group. We hosted a spaghetti dinner for the congregation where the church bought the ingredients for the meal and the kids and their parents all pitched in to cook. Then we served it and told everyone to just pay what they would maybe pay for a meal at a restaurant, but if they couldn't afford it, they were still welcome to eat anyway. Most people were very generous and donated a very appropriate amount and there were some people that really didn't have the money to pay for their food, so they only donated either a few cents or nothing at all. We always managed to make enough to cover the price of the ingredients and also get a good $300-$400 for the youth group. I wish there would be more restaurants like this...I'd definitely go to one and support it.
ReplyThis is such a great idea - I'm seeing more and more businesses doing this donation based type model and am encouraged that people are helping people during this difficult recession.
ReplyA wonderful concept that you just want to support. As far as I know we don't have restaurants like that in Sydney. We do have a couple out to make a profit that promote "Pay what you think the meal is worth".
For me it would add a stress at the end of the meal trying to calculate the value and tip so not to pay too much or offend the staff. If I knew I was going to help others less off I would feel far more generous.
ReplyHow do I start one in Houston, TX
Please let me know asap
ReplyAre you serious? There's not some list of steps. It's basic business administration. My guess is that this "business" survives through charitable giving by people with the resources to do so.
Open a restaurant, serve inexpensive food that still passes for our culture's definition of "healthy" and send lots of donation requests to known philanthropists. You can probably buy lists of people known for their charitable contributions.
ReplyI would imagine they did have a business plan. The restaurant didn't become a 501(c)3 overnight. And, they did visit One World in Salt Lake City whose owner, Denise gave them valuable assistance and advice. But, I also would venture to guess that they did not buy a list of known philanthropists. If you read other articles about the SAME Cafe, you will learn that they put most of their personal savings into the initial start-up of the restaurant. Now, that's a leap of faith!
Brad and Libby are to be commended for the good works they are doing in Denver and beyond as others are inspired by them.
ReplyIn reference to your comment about the food served at SAME Cafe being inexpensive...go to Whole Foods and price organic fruits and vegetables. I happen to know that Brad and Libby do a lot of shopping there and it is certainly NOT inexpensive. Aside from that, the food he creates is of gourmet quality, both nutritious and delicious. The concept of the cafe is that the customers he serves are all treated equally and no matter what their economic status happens to be, they get the same delicious, homemade food. Barry, if you haven't had the opportunity to try SAME Cafe yet, I would encourage you to experience it for yourself. And while you're there, drop a generous donation in the box or spend some time working with the other volunteers who help make the restaurant a success. When you leave, you'll have a good feeling...both in your stomach and your heart.
Reply