JOE BURNS
A regular patron (name not provided) enjoys a meal prepared by Table Grace’s Matt Weber and volunteer Jan Kammerer.
By Tim Pallesen T
able Grace Cafe nourishes both hungry bodies and souls as it brings businesspeople and the less fortunate together in downtown Omaha, Neb. Professional chef Matt Weber serves lunch to anyone who walks through the door. Table Grace has no cash register. Patrons with money pay what they feel their meal is worth and hopefully leave a little more to cover the cost for the less fortunate.
“This is social entrepreneur- ship that Lutherans are excited to be involved in,” said David L. deFreese, bishop of the Nebraska Synod. Gourmet pizza, soups and salads
Pallesen is a freelance writer and member of First Lutheran Church, Blair, Neb.
Table Ta le grace In Omaha, a Lutheran-run restaurant feeds the soul
attract people to Table Grace at lunchtime. Since the food isn’t free, Kathleen O’Hara put an envelope of pennies into the donation box one day. She gave Weber a jar of peanut butter on another. “You don’t have to be rich to give back,” said O’Hara, a woman with disabili- ties who lives alone downtown in public housing. O’Hara said she wouldn’t have any social interaction if it weren’t for Table Grace. “It gets me out,” she explained. “They’re nice people.” The Christian purpose behind Table Grace is simple. “Our belief is that everyone, regardless of economic status, deserves the chance to eat wonderful food while being treated with respect and dignity,” Weber said. Weber, a council member of First Lutheran Church, Omaha, leads a vol- unteer team composed of the fortunate and less fortunate to manage his non- profit Table Grace Ministries.
The fortunate cafe workers are from First and other ELCA congregations. For example, the organic vegetables served at Table Grace are grown in the Green Thumb Club’s garden at Trinity Lutheran Church, Omaha.
36 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
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