Upscale eating house in major urban center like New York and Chicago often charge hundreds of dollars for their high - terminal cuisine , with wait leaning workweek or months out . It ’s a far battle cry from the paired final stage of the dining spectrum , where lower - income home can often struggle to set up even the dim-witted meal .
Thanks to one non-profit-making organizer in Philadelphia , timbre dining does n’t have to be an undivided experience .
EAT ( Everyone at the Table ) Caférecently openedin West Philadelphia , and the construct is wide-eyed . Diners can give a suggested $ 15 for a three - course repast . If they ’d wish to pay more , the line of work certainly wo n’t refuse . But if they ’re only able to pay less — or nothing at all — that ’s OK , too .
EAT is the inspiration of Mariana Chilton , the manager of the Center for Hunger - Free Communities and the Café ’s possessor . Chilton told Huffington Post in May that the idea came to her five long time ago , when she notice a Brobdingnagian disconnect between the long descent for voguish newfangled dining spots and similarly long line for soup kitchens .
work with nutrient donors and a modest budget ( $ 750 weekly ) for ingredients , Chilton and her staff have been able to assist a variety of nutritious meal for both their paying and non - paying customers . Because the fare changes allot to their food for thought supply , there ’s no set repast choice . Recently , the Caféofferedchicken gumbo , linguine with clam sauce , and an Oreo sundae .
Other restaurants following a similar business model suggest that EAT could eventually turn a lucre if upward of 80 percent of client ante up ( and over - earnings ) to help subsidize the 20 percent that are n’t able-bodied to cope with their beak . Chilton , however , seems less concerned with balance the books than making sure people have a dignified dining experience . Unlike some of the affordable take - out places , EAT ’s patron are capable to enjoy their intellectual nourishment in a nicely - decorated dining domain .
The Café is currently open Wednesday through Friday from 4:30 to 8 p.m. If you ’re intrigued by EAT ’s charitable good example but ca n’t make it to Philly , you could still make anonline donationto the reason .
