A Denver-based nonprofit restaurant is bringing its innovative approach to Toledo, after local organizers, and the city itself, charmed its leaders.
Organizers said they plan to open a S.A.M.E. Cafe in Toledo this fall — they hope in UpTown, but are also looking Downtown. The restaurant’s name stands for So All May Eat, and much of the experience patrons can expect will be different than what they are used to. There’s no bill, for instance. A “participation board” is there instead, and patrons are asked to contribute their time as volunteers, to donate what they want — the cost to produce the meal is listed — or to donate produce to be used in future meals.
The idea is that anyone, be they unhoused or a millionaire, can walk in and have not just a meal, but a pleasant dining experience.
“Everyone who walks in is recognized for the dignity that they have and the resources with which they came in," S.A.M.E. Cafe Executive Director Brad Reubendale said.
The cafe opened in 2006, and what many doubted would last six months has been open since. Founders Brad and Libby Birky had worked in soup kitchens and food pantries for years, Mr. Reubendale said, and wanted to create an experience that provided healthier food and a more dignified experience.
"Everything about it is good. The food is healthy, it's delicious, and it's beautiful,” said Erin Peterson, one of the local organizers who is working to open the S.A.M.E. Toledo location. "But it’s not just about healthy food, it's about creating community, and that appeals to us."
About 80 percent of the clientele are unhoused or well below the poverty line. Pre-coronavirus, much of the work was done by volunteers, although there are a few paid staff. Since it’s a restaurant it can’t use reclaimed food, so organizers instead build relationships with local gardens and farms to provide produce.
The menu changes daily to use fresh food, and everything is made from scratch.
The goal, Mr. Reubendale said, was from the start to take the Denver restaurant’s mission and spread it to cities across the country. In recent years, leaders started taking steps to make that a reality, after receiving pitches to expand or requests to collaborate for years.
Toledoans Steve North and John Keegan happened upon S.A.M.E. Cafe in 2018 while on a business trip and fell in love with the concept, Ms. Peterson said. They told others about the non-profit, and a small group traveled later that year to volunteer at the cafe.
That then began a courtship at the same time S.A.M.E. leaders were getting serious about expansion. When the non-profit’s board went through applications, Toledo’s sprang to the top. Visits to the city left leaders charmed, and talks became serious.
In November, the board voted to allocate more than $90,000 to help open a Toledo location. The Toledo Community Foundation has also pledged $25,000.
Now, organizers are location hunting, while building out partnerships to help launch a hoped-for fall opening, although no targeted opening date is set, in part because of the pandemic.
Organizers will hold a virtual community event at 6:30 p.m. Thursday to explain the concept and foster conversation. To register, email toledo@SoAllMayEat.org.
First Published January 20, 2021, 10:30 p.m.
