The same pallets of browns and yellows color the walls, the familiar jazz will still soothe your ears while you wait in line and certainly the same eye-popping pastries, muffin tops, and cookies will fill your nose and have your mouth watering, but what’s different about the St. Louis Bread Co. down on Central Ave?
Next to your favorite soup (Mmm broccoli cheddar in a bread bowl) or sandwich (Tuscan chicken) you’ll find a bit more before the dollar sign. The words “Suggested donation” are next to each of the regularly priced item. This is the vision come true for Panera Bread Co. Chairman Ron Schaic (pictured below) who started the first “Panera Cares” charity kitchen in good old’ Clayton, Missouri Co. back in May 2010.
The idea is to give an opportunity for every man, woman, and family to eat with dignity no matter if they can afford the meal or not. The pay what you can afford motto has proved successful in its year and a half trial for the Clayton establishment. According to Schaic 20 percent of Clayton residents pay under the suggested donation, 20 percent pay more than the suggested donation and 60 percent pay the suggested donation exactly.
What’s really cool about the place is that there is no judgment whatsoever about the clients. There might be a guy dressed in a suit who paid a little less than the suggested donation, but the company’s thought is that you never know what someone’s financial situation is. The location isn’t only for people from impoverished families; it’s also a place where caregivers who were recently let go from their jobs can go for an accessible and affordable meal for their family.
That being said, don’t take advantage of the gift. In a recent article in USA Today, Schaic talks about how he’s still hurt by three college students who spent $3 for a $40 meal (#sonotcollegiette). Don’t be shameful; be as generous as you can.
You will see donation boxes all around the restaurant when you walk in with signs encouraging you to give what you can. If you can give more than what your meal is worth, that’s great, if youcan’t give more, that’s great too, and you can’t give anything, that’s ok. The Community Café offers hourly volunteer opportunities at the Clayton store for customers to work off their meal.
All receipts and donations small and large are appreciated. For those who give more than their meal costs, their receipt is stapled to a bulletin bored with the customer’s signatures. I saw one receipt for a $1.75 item where the customer gave $3 dollars. And the USA Today article reported one customer spent $500 for a single meal, Clayton’s biggest donation yet.
These extra donations work to maintain the non-profit facility, but also to go toward a job-training program for at-risk youth. A 12-week program teaches life skills such as self-esteem and accountability and job skills like what to do with your first paycheck to children.
The community café is growing quickly. St. Louis Bread Co. has already introduced two more Panera Care locations: one in Dearborn, Michigan and one in Portland, Oregon.
Imagine how much good you can do in a lunch break or how positively you can affect someone’s life just by encouraging your next floor reunion or group meeting to be at this Clayton location. Pass the article on to your friends and make sure to make an effort to make a difference and chow-down for charity at the Panera Community Café!