After finishing my post about the Buffalo Special Olympics Polar Plunge a few weeks ago, I wanted to quickly write about Big Big Table (to encourage year-end donations). But of course, LIFE! Despite the absolute shitshow our country has become over the last 11 months, I read several optimistic, heartfelt commentaries this week by writers I respect. I am still sceptical about the future of our nation, our species, and our planet, but I was inspired enough to find the energy to write.
Big Big Table is a “pay what you can” cafe. Amazingly, it is the ONLY one in New York State and one of only a few dozen nationwide. A few years ago, I saw a story on TV about one in another city and just assumed it was more common, as such an excellent idea.
In 2024, my friend Scott nominated Big Big Table as the charity partner of the year for our Buffalo Triathlon Club. One of their board members attended our spring members’ meeting and spoke about the charity. Many of us brought food items from the “wish list” to donate, and the club made a significant financial donation at the end of 2024, using proceeds from our annual banquet. One of our magnets is still on their fridge.
I went to the cafe a few times, bringing a few friends and my nephew from Boston when he visited Buffalo. The food was delicious, and it was nice to support a great cause simply by eating there. In 2025, I decided to start volunteering there, but they had to close temporarily in the spring. I was told that after five years, they were going to reboot the organization, and I should keep an eye on the Facebook page for updates.
https://www.bigbigtable.org/about-us
At the end of summer, I was happy to see they had announced their annual “gala,” so I bought a ticket.
It was a fun event with a great band. They thanked the new corporate donors and introduced the staff.
A few weeks later, they reopened.
Here is a news story that aired at the time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXQi5oIDmoU
I did my first volunteer shift on October 30th. I was assigned as the kitchen helper. I spent some time washing dishes and helping the chef, but most of my time was spent cutting up a large box of eggplants donated by a grocery store. The chef planned to make babagounesh with them the next day. I felt like my work was needed (I was the only volunteer that day) and appreciated. The cafe can be run by the chef, the volunteer director (Morgan), the executive director (Karl), and the guest services employee (Terrell). Ideally, though, the executive director would not have to work all day in the cafe, since he has many other administrative duties, and the volunteer director would not have to staff the counter herself.
Here is a news story that was shown on the Spectrum channel this week.
I told them that I would work once a week from noon to 3 p.m. On some of my other days there, I was one of several volunteers, but the only one again on the afternoon last week. I also got trained to run the iPad ordering system and serve meals, and even helped prep “fancy” desserts. I also translated one day for a family from Puerto Rico.
While most people offer to do a small task to “pay” for their meal, many also give a few coins or a dollar or two. And every time I have volunteered, there has been one or more customers who surprised me by saying they wanted to pay the recommended $16 for the meal or even more by cash or credit card. It is gratifying to be able to treat people (who may rarely experience it) with dignity and serve them well-prepared, healthy meals in a restaurant setting. The staff and volunteers are people who commit their time (or their whole careers) to a cause I believe in, and I always feel energized after spending time with them.
Here are some photos of meals from a few different days. The chef creates tasty, healthy meals from whatever foods are donated. They always have a vegan option and one or two soups. An excellent local patisserie (The Fig Tree in Kenmore) has been donating desserts, and there is a farm-to-table partnership, as well as local grocery stores that help.
I always get a meal to take home for dinner! I am also learning a lot about cooking from the chefs (the original one has left for another job, and they are using some fill-ins until a new full-time person is hired).
To donate, here is the website link:
https://www.bigbigtable.org/give
If you are in Buffalo, please stop by for lunch sometime. The Cafe is two blocks north of Kleinhans Music Hall. Check the website or Facebook page to confirm they are open that day, as hours are limited until a new chef is hired.
https://www.facebook.com/BigBigTable
They are currently looking for a larger site, as the current cafe can only hold 20 people. It was actually at capacity for a while last week, and people were asked to come back in 20 minutes.
DON’T be a GEORGE this year. Give to a real charity!
And FIGHT for the rights of the least powerful members of our society, the hungry, the disabled, the immigrants!
