I was shopping yesterday at my local Trader Joe’s (which is arguably the best grocery store ever), when I decided making dinner just seemed like to much work.  So I headed right next door to pick up some Panera when I noticed that my local neighborhood Panera had turned into a Panera Cares Community Cafe.

I think this is such an amazing concept!  Their motto is, “Take what you need, leave your fair share”.  There are no prices or cash registers, only suggested donation levels and donation bins. Which means you basically have three options and one huge moral dilema to sift through by the time you get to the front of the line.  

The suggested donation price of the tuna sandwich I went in for was $5.69. So, I had to decide, do I pay the $5.69, do I pay less or do I pay more.  While I was trying to decide in my mind I changed the word pay to give.  Do I give $5.69 to an organization whose concept I fully support and will more than likely cover the persons meal behind me, or do I give more.  Not giving at all was not even an option.  Normally paying $5.69 for a tuna sandwich would send me into a rant about how I could make twenty sandwiches at home for that same price.  But, when you change the word pay to give it doesn’t seem so bad.  In fact, it makes it seem like a bargain.  I have given way more at fundraisers, bake sales and art shows for things of the same value.  I gladly gave money year after year to UBC’ers who were trying to get to Kenya one cupcake at a time.  Why was this any different?  So, in the end I gave $5.69.  I felt good about my decision, but on the way home thought I should have given more.

According to some online articles I read about 60 percent of customers pay in full.  20 percent pay less and 20 percent pay more.  Those who have nothing don’t have to pay a penny, or there is an option of working for an hour for a free meal voucher.

Right now, there are three other Panera Cares Cafes.  The first one was opened in St. Louis, next was Detroit and third was Portland.  Locations are chosen carefully based on economic need and easy access from public transportation.  Two more locations are reported to open this year across the country.  The bottom line with these new Community Cafes is to make a difference by offering the Panera Cafe experience to all, those who can afford it, those who need a free meal and everyone in between.

I love it & it makes me love Panera more.  If you have a Panera Cares Cafe in your area eat at it and give often!  Countless people survive on just one meal a day and more than likely have no idea where that meal is coming from.  By giving just $5.69 you can eat your sandwich and pay for someone else’s at the same time.  Even if you don’t have a Panera Cares just eat at a Panera.  At least your money is going to an organization that is trying to make a difference.