Panera Bread

There is an Amrikan bakery chain called Panera Bread. They are obviously a bakery, but they also have cafés across the country. They are very good. And very popular. 

They are also something else.

They have a charitable foundation called Panera Cares. It looks and runs like any of their cafés, with one exception.

The prices are suggestions only. The expectation is that people pay what they can afford. If you can afford nothing, then you need pay nothing. Those who cannot afford to eat at a regular cafe, can eat here with dignity.

Often, a good meal is paid for with time spent working in the cafe.

We found one of these cafés opposite our hotel in Boston, so frequented it as often as we could. There were often people under training for obvious reasons, but the result was always a pleasure to contribute to.

We wish them well in this venture, and hope that others take up the challenge to provide for the less fortunate in such a dignified and supportive way.