Welcome to Big Big Table!
Big Big Table Community Café is a lunchtime cafe open to EVERYBODY! By employing radical hospitality, intentional food sourcing, and an innovative participation-based model, our team works to ensure that all community members have access to a true restaurant experience regardless of how many dollars are in their pocket. Our mission is to provide a dignified response to the dual public health crises of food insecurity and social isolation, providing Buffalo with affordable, scratch-made meals and a neighborhood spot in which to feel seen.
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Distinct from a soup kitchen, Big Big Table and other One World Everybody Eats member-cafes are frequented by diners of all socioecomic backgrounds-- think of us as an eatery that just has uniquely flexible payment methods! At a traditional restaurant, a guest is asked to exchange a fixed amount of money for their meal. At Big Big Table, diners are invited to contribute money in an amount meaningful to them, volunteer time, or in-kind donations. Our pay-as-you-can model strives to promote a healthy, socially connected community that meets people where they're at.​​​
Why Pay-as-you-can?
At Big Big Table, Everybody has a chance to give what they can to get what they need!
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The number one goal of Big Big Table is to nourish everyone who walks through the door, physically and emotionally. Across the United States, Community Cafés provide a dignified response to hunger, increase access to high-quality meals, and foster opportunities for social connection across communities, with particular care paid to welcoming in our most socioeconomically vulnerable neighbors.
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Our restaurant menu has a suggested donation amount of $16 for a complete meal of an entree, small plate, and dessert (to learn more about our menu structure and offerings, head here!). Some diners will pay more and some will pay less. Others offer non-monetary contributions, including volunteering their time or bringing ingredients to help power our operations. We've found that encouraging such a diverse system of exchange deepens our guests' engagement with our space and their commitment to mutual aid, evidenced by our beloved network of cafe regulars who show up not just to dine but to lend a hand in support of our mission.
Big Big Table Community Café Inc.
Staff
Executive Director - Karl Johnston​​
Email karl@bigbigtable.org with inquiries regarding major donations, strategic partnerships, and high-level administration/operations.
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Volunteer & Communications Manager - Morgan Stewart
Email morgan@bigbigtable.org with inquiries regarding volunteer opportunities and media requests.
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Guest Experience Coordinator - Terrell Chambers
Email terrell@bigbigtable.org with inquiries regarding community outreach and engagement.
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Kitchen Manager - Tom Herrick
Email tom@bigbigtable.org with inquiries regarding culinary operations and in-kind donations.
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Big Big Table Community Café Inc.
Board of Directors
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Dana Epstein, President
Senior Manager, Channel Sales - Commvault Systems Inc.
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Allison Hyman, Secretary
Educator & Advocate, Factotum Consulting
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Matthew Taboni, Treasurer
Associate Attorney, Colligan Law LLP
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Mandy Bailey
Founding Chef
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Jesse Anaya
Community Advisor & Advocate
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Trueman Muhrer-Irwin
​Purple Heart Veteran; Manager - Hatchet & Hops​
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Stephanie Mejia, EMPA
Housing & Community Advocate
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Stephanie Smith, Board Member Emeritus
Owner & Consultant, All Seasons Philanthropy LLC
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