to operate a nonprofit pay-what-you-can restaurant in the historic small City of Lexington in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Our concept is based on a successful model originated by One World Everybody Eats. There are over 50 working nonprofit cafes across the United States, and at least 15 more opening soon. These cafes are easing food insecurity in communities just like yours all across this countr
y. The folklore of food is rooted in community and family and comfort. Everyone should enjoy great service and quality food. The experience of dining out shouldn’t be reserved for the few; it should be enjoyed by all. will enjoy daily specials, fresh salads, hearty sandwiches, comforting soups, tasty desserts, homemade iced teas, and fresh coffee. Any diner can choose to:
Pay the suggested donation amount for a meal;
Pay the suggested donation amount for a meal, plus a little more to “pay it forward” for another diner;
Pay less than the suggested donation amount, but what the diner can afford, for a meal; or
Volunteer an hour of work at The Lexington C.A.F.E. or another community nonprofit organization in exchange for a meal. The Lexington C.A.F.E. will be more than a great little restaurant. We will source as much of our healthy food as possible from farms in the Lexington area. We will offer volunteer opportunities, job training, gardening and nutrition classes, and a welcoming environment for meetings and community events. We have a generous commitment from Metrotainment Cafes, an Atlanta restaurant group, to donate much of the equipment we’ll need, including refrigerators, ovens, stoves, tables, and chairs. Big thanks to Jeff and Amy Landau and Metrotainment Cafes! We’re off to a great start, but we’ve still got lots of work to do – work that costs money. Donations are vitally important to a nonprofit café, and we need your financial support. To start, we are raising funds to apply the IRS for tax-exempt status as a charity and to renovate a downtown Lexington location for the cafe.
