INSPIRED IMPACT™ is an ongoing blog series that gives voice to social entrepreneurs and leaders of purpose-driven organizations who are making an impact in their communities, industries, and around the world.
Brad Reubendale is the Executive Director of So All May Eat, Inc. (SAME Café) headquartered in Denver, CO. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube and learn more at soallmayeat.org.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
SAME Café is a donation-based, fair exchange restaurant that serves healthy food to everyone, regardless of ability to pay. Our mission is to create community through healthy food access. We believe in healthy food, community, and dignity for everyone.
WHY DO YOU DO IT?
SAME Café is the first nonprofit restaurant in Denver! Everyone who comes through the door is treated exactly the same. Guests order from the healthy menu of mostly local, organic food and then let us know how they would like to participate in the community in exchange for the meal: volunteering time, giving produce, or donating money.
SAME Café has no set prices and no set menus. Daily selections are made using fresh, organic ingredients and are funded by donations of time, produce, and money from guests and supporters. Our philosophy is that everyone, regardless of economic status, deserves the chance to eat healthy food while being treated with dignity.
It is the intent of SAME Cafe to build community by providing a delicious and healthy meal in a dignified manner to anyone who walks through the door.
WHAT IMPACT ARE YOU MAKING?
We feed hungry people! In 2018, we served 14,200 meals to everyone, regardless of ability to pay.
WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO MAKE THIS IMPACT?
The incredible community of people who both love and give to the mission and those who need access to healthy food.
WHAT’S YOUR BIG DREAM FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND THE IMPACT YOU WANT TO MAKE?
We are launching a food truck in March 2019 that will nearly double our capacity to serve healthy meals and will allow us to make the mission mobile to reach food deserts and hungry people all around the Denver metro area.
WHAT RESOURCES DO YOU NEED TO MAKE THOSE DREAMS COME TRUE?
We run on donations of time, money, and produce. We need partnerships with volunteers, local farms and gardens, and donors who help make this happen!
WHAT IS (OR HAS BEEN) YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
Replicating the model we use while keeping dignity for everyone at the center of what we do.
WHAT WORDS OF ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER LEADERS LOOKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
Believe in the goodness of humans! People want to do good in the world, they just need to understand how they can make a difference!
HOW CAN OTHERS SUPPORT YOU OR YOUR CAUSE?
Volunteer at the Café, donate to the mission, give your backyard produce, or come in for lunch!
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