History
Our History
Late in 2005, Denise met Brad and Libby Birky of Denver, Colorado. Since 2003, this couple also had an idea for a cafe that was community based, and they were searching for an example of a similar concept in operation. They found One World Cafe, and visited Salt Lake City. Denise told them that whenever they were ready to start working to make their cafe a reality, she would go to Denver to help them. In August/September 2006, they were on their way to opening their cafe and Denise travelled to Denver and helped out for a month with other volunteers. In October 2006, Mr. and Mrs. Birky opened the “SAME” Cafe. SAME is an acronyn for “So All May Eat.” Although the two establishments are not affiliated, they share a similar hope of serving their communities in unique and loving ways. SAME Cafe has also inspired two other cafes to open in the denver area, Comfort Cafe and Cafe 180 !
Since then, Denise has helped open One World Spokane in 2008, Potager in Arlington, Texas and A Better World Cafe located in Highland Park, New Jersey in 2009, and Comfort Cafe in 2010, FARM Cafe in Boone, NC. She has also consulted other groups, including Panera Bread, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation,and has visited many other communities to discuss the start up process in a community forum and has helped raise money at their major fundraisers. To date we have directly or indirectly helped launch 28 community cafes. The staff and Board of One World Everybody Eats Foundation is ready to help anyone, anywhere who is willing to take similar steps to bring their own community cafe to life. We also hold a free networking summit in a different city every year so those who have community cafes can mentor groups in the planning phases.
MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER DENISE CERRETA
Nine years ago I would never have imagined the evolution of One World Cafe. After a few months of working alone (with no experience!), then understaffed, we have now transitioned to having a Foundation that is mentoring communities around the globe.
This has allowed me to focus on helping other communities, mentoring, and traveling to other areas to attain a deeper understanding of hunger, food insecurity, community and food resources. I thank everyone who has been part of this work, and that includes the staff and customers and those who continue to share our concept with friends and support us in many ways.
Our goal is to continue to move the One World Everybody Eats Foundation’s vision to larger audiences. We often receive requests for information on our model, our tax documents, business plans, etc which we share freely. We also provide our guidance as people either seek to open new cafes or convert existing ones to the community cafe format.
We see that mentoring and networking efforts and eventually fund raising for the community cafe network is where our energy can be best spent. And we are working to connect those people and efforts. By letting everyone who is striving to establish their own cafe in their own community see they are not alone, we think it may help spread the establishment of successful cafes worldwide even faster. And we relish the role and opportunity to help the no-set menu, no-set prices community cafe model come to fruition everywhere.
The guide, “Spirit in Business – Guide for Starting a Community Cafe” has recently been updated and is available for download from our website. It’s intended to be a “How-To” for individuals or groups seeking to duplicate the ‘pay what you can’ model in their own cities, as well as a testimony for how businesses can become more spiritually based and sustainable by redefining what a profit means without sacrificing it. In the meantime, my board and I are available to mentor anyone who would like to investigate this idea. Please contact us for a real hands on experience!
Our Foundation Wish List
Someone to help us make a promotional video>
1.AIRLINE TICKETS !!!! We currently need help flying to all of the different locations that want my help. If anyone can donate buddy stand-by passes or offer us a ticket using their frequent flyer miles that would really help out. We often visit a community in the earlly planning stages to do a Q/A and help them pick a location. We then fly out again to help them at a large fund raiser and also when they are ready to launch.
We could really use the gift of a fairly low mileage vehicle or camper that gets good gas mileage!! This would be another way that I could get to communities that want my help. We would also consider a Toyota or Honda with high mileage. Thanks!
2.Denise is writing a non-fiction book and will be looking for an agent or book publisher in the next few months.
3. We are looking for a local or NATIONAL BAND that is willing to play at our 2013 National Summit Fundraiser 19 January,2013 in New Brunswick, New Jersey area. All proceeds after costs will be shared with all opened community kitchens, the One world Everybody Eats Foundation and future grants. We are open to discussing various ways that this can happen.
4.If you know of anyone who is a philanthropist and eager to help find a lasting solution to ending hunger, creating food security and creating community, on a national and international level, let us know!!
5. We have always wanted to have a food truck to share the ‘pay what you can model, go into food desert communities, fund raise for the foundation at festivals and especially for outreach in disaster areas. If you have one to donate to us or know of one we can purchase at a very resonable price, please contact us. This is one of our most important wishes right now!
If you feel drawn to help us and can, please call or email. 801 953-9953 denisecerreta45@yahoo.com