Amazing People

We all know one or more amazing people, people who stand out for overcoming obstacles to succeed, or make contributions to improve society, or risk their lives to save others. These are other-centered people who are not afraid to do what they can to create a better world. They do not always make the headlines; they often do amazing things in their own neighborhoods or workplaces.

Straub Construction: One City Cafe
One City Cafe in Kansas City, MO 
I just read about the One City Cafe that recently opened in Kansas City, Mo., for anyone to come and enjoy a delicious, healthy meal in an inner city neighborhood. The meals are prepared by a former chef who believes everyone deserves nourishing food whether they are homeless, unemployed, or minimum wage workers. The free meals are served by staff and volunteers in a restaurant-style community kitchen.

People can sponsor a night at the kitchen for a minimum of $150, sccording to Doug Langner, manager of the Troost Avenue site. The place is so popular sponsors are lined up months in advance. Free will donations are accepted, but not asked for during the meal. One of the goals of the One City Cafe is to promote interaction between people of means and "food insecure patrons."

Most volunteers are part of a "Serve. Earn. Learn" course at local Catholic colleges which enables students to earn up to $500 for serving a meal each Tuesday for a semester along with other class requirements. The students learn to interact with people from all social strata and to treat them with dignity.

Serving a meal to those in need has been around for a while, but "making it more like a banquet" in a restaurant-style atmosphere is a fairly new concept. So I think Doug Langner is an amazing person for making this possible and promoting respect for people of all classes in a deprived neighborhood.
We need more amazing people like Doug.



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