Dec. 1, 2014. Why do for-profit businesses support nonprofit efforts like F.A.R.M. Cafe? Can non-profits be profitable? During the holiday season we are more aware of the many needs in our community and the various efforts of the organizations who work to meet these needs. These efforts would not be possible without the support of many generous businesses in this community. Therefore F.A.R.M. Cafe’s December F.A.C.E.S. event will focus on the motivation and benefits of supporting non-profits through for-profit businesses.
Many companies in Boone support non-profits through fundraising, donations, and discounted rates. Representatives from High Country Local First, Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Mast General Store, Mprints and others will participate in a conversation about the potential mutual and community benefits of supporting non-profit organizations.
The community is invited to attend the event on Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. and join in the conversation offering your perspective to the conversation about the risks or benefits of supporting non-profit efforts. Throughout the conversation questions from community members are welcome. As we are in the midst of the Holiday season this will be a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about how to get involved in the creative partnerships between local businesses and non-profit agencies and efforts.
Dinner will be served after the opening conversation and will follow the “pay as you can” method used daily at F.A.R.M. Cafe. There are suggested donations according to plate/serving size. Those who can give are encouraged to give within the suggested range or a little more to help a neighbor in need. Those who cannot give are invited to donate an hour of their time in exchange for a meal.
During the meal agency and business representatives will join community members around the tables for further conversation. This is a great networking opportunity which is part of the vision for the F.A.C.E.S. at F.A.R.M. events.
F.A.C.E.S., which stands for Food, Agriculture, Community, Economy, and Spirituality, is a community forum held at F.A.R.M. Café on the first Thursday of every month. Each event offers community members an opportunity to come together, to get to know one another, to share and discuss community issues or participate in a presentation around topics of interest to the community. Generally the event consists of a 45-minute to one-hour presentation/conversation followed by questions, dinner, and further informal conversation. Upcoming F.A.C.E.S. at F.A.R.M. tentatively include a film about the American food system in January, a conversation about immigration in February. Community members are invited to suggest possible topics or presenters for the future. At this time the planning committee is looking for additional members, if you are interested please contact the F.A.R.M. Cafe staff at staff@farmcafe.org.
F.A.C.E.S. is an extension of F.A.R.M. Cafe’s goal to create a healthy and inclusive community. Allowing the cafe to serve as a safe space for community dialogue will ensure that the F.A.R.M. community continues to improve. . F.A.C.E.S. is not only a platform for important conversations but also an opportunity for people to get connected to one another and issues that affect us all.
The F.A.C.E.S. event will be held at F.A.R.M. Cafe located at 617 W King St., walking distance from the ASU campus. All community members are invited to join the conversation and share a delicious meal. F.A.R.M. Cafe is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is a non-profit, pay-what-you-can community kitchen that strives to build a healthy and inclusive community. F.A.R.M. Cafe provides high quality and delicious meals produced from local sources when available, served in a restaurant where everybody eats, regardless of means. The daily menu and event information can be found on Facebook or at farmcafe.org.