It's Christmas Eve and officially the last day of my first G.U.L.P. project. Wanting today to be memorable in a different sort of way, my mom and I invested the day volunteering at SAME Cafe (So All May Eat). The cafe is one of a kind in Denver. It was founded and is operated by Brad and Libby Birky who create daily selections of savory pizzas, soups, and salads. The ingredients are bright, fresh, and all homemade using primarily organic ingredients. The Birky's pay special attention to recycling everything that can be re-purposed, and to composting all uneaten morsels. But what sets this cafe apart is that there are no set prices for the creative cuisine. No cash register to be found, patrons pay what they think their meal is worth and drop their money in a donation box. For those who are penniless, they're encouraged to commit an hour of work sweeping, wiping tables, or cleaning dishes, but no one is turned away. Others pay it forward and add a few additional dollars to the box.
There were nine of us working over lunch today, cooking, cleaning, and serving hot, nutritious meals to nearly 45 people. When I wasn't rolling pizza dough or washing dishes I would take notice of the people coming into the cafe. It appeared that most had made the trek on foot and likely had no place to call their own; they had backpacks and bags strapped around there shoulders and were briskly rubbing there hands together, encouraging the warmth to return. Many customers came in alone. Brad greeted all of them and served each one with a genuine kindness that affirmed their individual worth.
When the doors closed at 2pm the nine of us, now new friends, began to clean. It was another successful day relieving hunger and offering comfort at SAME Cafe. As we scrubbed and mopped, we all, I suspect, felt real satisfaction and a peace that comes from switching off the auto-pilot and tuning in to the needs of others. We were in a position to offer something, and we each knew, that for today, we didn't face the same stark hardships of many of the people we served.
As we put away the dishes and wiped down the refrigerators, the door opened and a man stepped in extending his hand. With a great, toothless smile, he held out a dollar. He said that while he had never eaten at SAME, many of his buddies do and that he wants to give back when he can. He didn't ask for anything in return. He simply encouraged the Birky's to keep up their important work. His gesture was overwhelming. My belief in Santa faded decades ago, but I'm certain he was on Colfax Avenue this afternoon.
With Christmas and my project's end only a few hours away, it's not visions of sugarplums dancing in my head but smoked salmon, grilled asparagus, wild rice, caramel bread pudding, and Merlot. The obvious. But far more consequential than my taste buds coming out of hibernation, is the profound sense of gratitude I'm identifying, a personal bar that's been raised, and a distinct awareness that this is just the beginning.
28 Days | $700 | 3 Non-profits
For the next 28 days, from November 27 through December 24, I'll significantly reduce my food choices: I'll eat only 7 foods, 5 condiments, and drink only 1 beverage (what are they? You'll have to read my blog to find out!). Lattes, fish and chips, veggie pad thai, and vino be gone--Yaaouch! By doing this, I will save approximately $700 that I will then donate to three extraordinary, greater-Denver non-profit organizations.
We've all felt the pinch of these tough economic times. Hit especially hard are organizations that function solely to help the most vulnerable among us. Click the links on the right to learn more about the great work of three such organizations, and then cast your vote. Your vote will determine the percentage of the $700 that each organization will receive. I encourage you to influence the votes of others–but please only vote once. I'll blog about my G.U.L.P. journey and update my progress daily. If you scroll down, you'll find my daily blog postings. Your comments are encouraged!
WHY FOOD, WHY NOW? I wanted my G.U.L.P. choice to be a significant but realistic sacrifice. Food seemed an obvious choice for several reasons: First, I spend a lot of money on food. Not just basic sustenance, but on brunches, dinners out, pricey markets, happy hours, and expensive take-out. When I reviewed my budget and found that I spend roughly $700 each month on eating and drinking, I realized I needed to check this luxury. Second, I think the act of eating is relatively thoughtless for many of us--it has been for me. The question isn't what will I eat, but rather, what do I want to eat. Finally, I chose this time of year for my G.U.L.P. project because the holidays tend to intensify our emotions. For those who have plenty, it’s often a time of celebration and feelings of joy can be readily identified. For those who are barely getting by, the holidays can be agonizing.
JOIN ME: What would you give up for 28 days? I have chosen to limit food choices, but that's just one idea. If each one of us gave up a non-essential item, service, or even a certain food for a manageable period of time--something that we've been conditioned to believe is a need rather than a want, and commit the money saved to an effective community organization, imagine the impact! If you decide to give something up--and I hope you do!--I'd love to hear about your experiences.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
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Ah, great post Peg! So glad you can now eat whatever your heart desires, but more importantly, I'm grateful that you shared your insightful thoughts with everyone over the past 28 days of this inspiring undertaking. Merry Christmas! It will undoubtedly be one that you remember for a long time to come.
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