Programs

  • Spark Community Cafe Initiative

    THE SPARK COMMUNITY CAFE, INC IS A "PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN" TYPE OF RESTAURANT SIMILAR TO OTHER CAFES LOCATED ACROSS THE COUNTRY KNOWN AS THE "ONE WORLD-EVERYBODY EATS INITIATIVE. COMMUNITY LEADERS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS DISCOVERED THAT ISSUES SUCH AS HUNGER CAN BE COMBATED WITH THE YOUNGER GENERATION. THE CAFE INVITES THOSE WHO CAN, TO PAY A MEAL FORWARD FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T. THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD SOMETHING, CAN PAY ONLY WHAT THEY ARE ABLE TO, AND THOSE WHO CANNOT PAY AT ALL, CAN VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO THE CAFE TO "PAY" FOR THEIR MEAL. THE METHOD BY WHICH ONE HANDLES THEIR PAYMENT IS DONE IN A WAY THAT IS UNKNOWN TO OTHER PATRONS. THE DIRECTORS OF SPARKS COMMUNITY CAFE REALIZE THE ISSUE OF HUNGER ISN'T ALWAYS EASILY SEEN. A PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE CAFE IS TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY AND HOW IT WORKS TO HELP WITH THE INVISIBLE EPIDEMIC OF FOOD INSECURITY. SINCE OPENING, SPARK COMMUNITY CAFE HAS GROWN THEIR SERVICES TO NOW INCLUDE ONSITE AND OFFSITE CATERING AS A MEANS TO CONTINUALLY RAISE FUNDS FOR THE CAFE, ALONG WITH USING THE SPACE FOR EENTS & PARTIES. THE GOAL OF SPARK COMMUNITY CAFE IS TO PROVIDE GREAT FOOD WITH DIGNITY FOR ALL OF THEIR PATRONS IN A COMMUNITY SPACE THAT EDUCATES, ENTERTAINS AND ACCEPTS ALL WHO WALK THROUGH THEIR DOORS.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2024
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $387.2K

  • Program 1 [2025]

    THE SPARK COMMUNITY CAFE, INC WAS A "PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN" TYPE OF RESTAURANT SIMILAR TO OTHER CAFES LOCATED ACROSS THE COUNTRY KNOWN AS THE "ONE WORLD-EVERYBODY EATS INITIATIVE. COMMUNITY LEADERS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS DISCOVERED THAT ISSUES SUCH AS HUNGER CAN BE COMBATED WITH THE YOUNGER GENERATION. THE CAFE INVITED THOSE WHO COULD, TO PAY A MEAL FORWARD FOR THOSE WHO COULD NOT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE DOORS TO SPARK COMMUNITY CAFE'S CLOSED AT THE END OF JUNE. HOWEVER, AFTER A YEAR OF DISCUSSION, THE BOARD MEMBERS DECIDED TO FOCUS ON ADVOCATING FOR VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY BY PREPARING AND DELIVERING MEALS FROM A LOCAL CHURCH. PER WHITNEY STEPP-GAY, THE CHAIR OF SPARK COMMUNITY CAFE, WHILE THE CAFE CREW AND COMMUNITY SHARE A LOVE FOR THE GATHERING SPACE, THEY ARE LOOKING AHEAD. SPARK COMMUNITY CAFE, INC. PLANS ON MAINTAINING A STORAGE SPACE, FOOD PANTRY AND FREEZER FOR ITS WORK. WHILE OPEN, SPARK COMMUNITY CAFE SERVED MORE THAN 80,000 MEALS TO PEOPLE LIVING IN WOODFORD COUNTY, SOMETIMES FOR FREE
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2024 – Jun 30, 2025
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $245.2K