Simple, right? But also simply remarkable

Hey Table family,

Y’all, I am at the cafe daily. And sometimes even I need a reminder how remarkable it is--how unlike life-as-usual. Here’s a simple conversation I have every single day. The cafe serves as a constant reminder that when we step into the space of Table (on the phone, through the car window, or in the new addition), we step into a way of being in the world that’s powerfully different than what we’re used to:   “I heard I could get a meal here and maybe volunteer for a meal for me and my daughter. We can’t afford a lot right now, but I heard about this restaurant.” 
“We don’t have volunteers right now because of COVID19, but we are so excited you’re here and happy to send you off with meals. What’s your name? Tell me more! And let me show you the menu and how it works. By the way, feel free to call your order in for you and your daughter next time, and we’ll bring it to your car.”  

Simple, right? But also simply remarkable. 

People arrive at Table expecting the treatment they get in the rest of the world. But for people in poverty, at Table, the world-as-they-know it turned on its head: Table meets them where they are, financially, and gives them way more than what society has taught them to expect in return. They get dignity, choice, a warm welcome, community...oh, and delicious food. Even, and especially, now.  

In these weird times, when economic divides are deeper than ever, when those in poverty are more marginalized than ever, being handed a good meal that they chose, that was boxed and bagged just for them, that was handed to them by a masked and smiling Usha, Evan, Alli, Emily, Josh, or the rest of our awesome staff..that’s life giving. And that’s the way the world should be. 

Did we think in February 2020 that we’d be doing curbside service and masked sidewalk chats? No.

Did we think that we would be giving out 300 free meals a day and have 80 percent of our diners every day not paying for their meals? No.

But yall, for now the community is still joyously alive on the curb of 300 W. Hargett St. We’re still here, creating a little space to turn the world-as-we-know-it on its head. And we would love for you to be a part of it. 

Thank you for continuing to make our mission possible every single day. If you can't join us curbside, you can always join our online community seeing what we are up to and giving-what-you-can. We could not do this without you.

See you soon for a socially-distanced air hug, 

Maggie