Supporting a Pay-What-You-Can Cafe

How much is it for a plate? Whatever you can afford. So, free? Yeah.

If you That's all you can afford. Why you giving it for free? Because I've been on hard times before. I got divorced and starting over and just hard times.

So, you've been that person who didn't know where your next meal was going to come from? There were times. The job that I had been a para and they don't pay very well. Trying to feed three kids, have a roof over our head.

It's a lot. of people are going through the same thing. There were times where I was working three jobs. Our oldest daughter had to take care of the two younger ones.

Do what you have to do. Is this your daughter? Yes. Do you go with your mom?

Most of the time, yeah. How long have you been doing it? About three and a half years. We do it twice a month.

So, is it like a non-profit? Yeah, I don't have like a 501 501c3? have anything like that. Started out whatever money I had left over, we went and bought bread and peanut butter and jelly.

With your own money? Yeah. Is it hard to keep going? It was for a while.

So, even though it was hard for you, you still did it? Because we saw the need. Why wouldn't you help? What's your dream?

To open a pay what you can cafe. So, you've already started your dream. Yeah. What would you need?

A building, either rent or buy a building and the appliances and Having a building is very important because people can come and get out of the heat, get out of the cold. Yeah. Even if it was just for 30 minutes. Even if we had to start somewhere small like even just with a crock pot like then somewhere, you know.

Are there people who count on you bringing food to them every week? Yeah, they There's quite a few regulars. Do you ever pay for any of it yourself? Yeah.

Yeah? What's been the hardest part about trying to start your own business? Finding the finding the funds to do it, I guess. Do you work full-time?

I do. So, when do you do this? On the weekends? Yeah.

Really? Yeah. What So, when do you sleep? What would you call the cafe?

It's pay what you can. Some people don't want it for free, but they don't have the money. They could come and help in some way, clear tables, wash dishes. Give them a sense of purpose.

I'd also like to add on a clothing area and like a store and they don't necessarily have to have money. Are you able to sustain just off of donations? So far. So far?

Do you think there will be a point where you won't be able to? I know God has put this on me, so I know that he's going to provide in some way. How much do you get from donations per week? Oh, um it's not per week.

There's one faithful donator, $25 a month. Oh, it's just like one person? are kind of random. What's your biggest prayer?

That people don't have to go hungry. You've been making sure people eat for 3 and 1/2 years. So, I want to give you something to make sure that you can sustain doing it for a little bit. This can go towards continuing your mission.

This is my little contribution. What's the message behind all of this? When you're at your lowest point, do something for someone else. Good comes out of it.

We all need help at times. So. That's right. You got to tell your mom.

High five. God bless you.