A: Open Door Café is a nonprofit community café operated by Open Door Community (formerly Helping Overcome Poverty’s Existence, Inc.) that serves all guests regardless of their ability to pay. The café offers gift-based dining.

A: At Open Door Café everyone gives Wythe us so that everyone can eat Wythe us! In return for a wholesome, chef prepared meal, all guests give something toward our mission.

Café guests may give in the following ways:

• Give ½ hour of volunteer time

• Give at the full price (see menu for pricing)

• Give $3 or more

A: Guests may choose a contribution level that fits their desired meal selection:

• With a gift of ½ hours volunteer time - receive our Classic Fare Combo meal – one entree plus your choice of two sides and a drink.

• With a gift at full menu value - choose any meal combo, the everyday item and/or add extra sides, drinks, signature items, drinks, and desert to the order.

• With a gift of $3 - receive our Lite Fare Combo meal – choice of sandwich/entree plus your choice of a side or drink.

A: As of July 17, 2023, the Café relaunched with expanded menu options, a streamlined guest experience, and more options to join in supporting the café’s mission.

During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the café suspended volunteer or donation expectations. Instead, meals were distributed in a manner more typical of a soup kitchen.

After the relaunch the cafe realigned its pricing and operations to its original vision as a gift-based community café – a place where everyone can access a wholesome meal while accepting help with dignity and respect.

A: Guests are given the option to give in the form of ½ hour of volunteer time. After volunteering guests receive a token voucher which can be redeemed for one Classic Combo meal valued at $10.

A: There are two types of café volunteers.

Guest volunteers are assigned an appropriate role, oriented, and monitored by our on-site volunteer manager. Guest volunteers serve a variety of non-recurring functions in the kitchen or dining room, on the grounds, in the outdoor dining area, or with our weekend K-12 meal program.

Core volunteers are recurring community volunteers who are more highly trained and fulfill essential operational roles. They volunteer at least once a week assisting full-time staff and aren’t necessarily doing so for a meal benefit.

A: To offer gift-based dining, the café depends on generous contributions from a variety of charitable giving sources, including donations, major gifts, grants, and special events. These gifts subsidize the costs of operating the café while providing meals at or below the cost.

Supporters can:

• Pay it Forward - Donate anonymously, by credit card, or by purchasing gift tokens/cards to hand out to someone you know.

• Sustain Our Mission - Join our subscription giving program with a monthly recurring gift of $10 or more.

• Book Open Door Catering - Open Door Café is your community gathering place for celebrations, family dinners, community announcements, and more. Hire Open Door Catering for your next event! All proceeds benefit the Open Door Café.

A: The experience resembles a standard café dining experience. Guests walk in and are greeted by our friendly customer service staff and volunteers. Guests choosing to make a monetary contribution will proceed to the counter, order, pay in multiple ways, and find a seat inside or outside. Staff and volunteers will bring out orders as they are ready.

Guests choosing to volunteer will work with our volunteer manager. After the ½ volunteer contribution is made, guests will receive a volunteer meal voucher and proceed to the service counter.

A: Open Door Café serves three tiers of homestyle meal combinations. Each combo meal includes a choice of entrée, choice of side items with number of sides varied by meal tier, and a beverage. Additionally, a la carte items, including dessert, may be selected with an additional gift. Menu items vary at least monthly and feature seasonally available ingredients. Based on availability, our chef prepares many dishes using locally sourced ingredients and those grown from our own community garden.