Inspirational Adventures

Panera Cares Café Photobucket While I was in Portland with a few other All Stars we stumbled upon a little café called Panera Cares. A couple of them had eaten at a Panera before and they told the rest of us that it was very good. Since we needed to stop somewhere soon to grab food we decided that we would just stop at this café. Like many places there was a line that you got in and a menu posted up above the people who took the orders. There was a wide range of food options. Right away I noticed the delicious looking breads and pastries.  Photobucket I looked the menu up and down a chose to try a bread bowl with tomato soup along with a drink. Then the cashier replied by saying the suggested donation was $6.25. I handed him my card. He then asked “how much would you like to donate?” I looked at him with a puzzled look on my face. I asked him what he meant. Then he explained to me that the Panera Cares café was a nonprofit community café. He told me that they will serve anyone and that they suggest a donation based on food costs, and labor. I told him that I wanted to pay the full amount. I was in shock. Never in my life had I ever heard of something like this. It put a smile on my face and I could feel the positive energy that this little café put out. The rest of the All Stars were also intrigued as well. We ate the yummy food that we ordered and read a little bit more about the start of the café from the little brochure that was supplied to each table. This experience really shows that there is good in the world. There other two locations in the United States for a Panera Cares Café are located in Clayton, MO, and Dearborn, MI. What a great way to give back to the community and inspiration to all of us!