When someone comes in who cannot afford a meal, they can give an hour of their time in exchange for a meal. "That one hour really gives us an opportunity to start building and forming a relationship with that person," Davis said. "They've just really felt accepted. They have felt safe. If somebody's going to come in and work for food, they probably have other needs that could be met too. And once we start building a rapport and a relationship with them, we can help point them in the direction of other resources." One Bistro is all about people, and their ministry succeeds due to the collective input from the many who are involved at the community cafe. "I could describe the whole mission and operation of One Bistro without attributing it to one person," Davis said. "It's the efforts of so many people put together that make One Bistro successful." On Wednesday nights starting at 5 p.m. and ending around 7, One Bistro holds a community meal where anyone and everyone can come to eat for no charge. The staff leads the guests in prayer and then begins serving the food. Conversation soon fills the room. "We like to look at it as like family dinner because our coo s decide what we're going to serve for the night, and th n v rybody eats the same thing," Davis said. "And it's h on big family in there, sharing the evening together nd atmg." On 81 tro also s nds meals to various other non-profit mini tn in th nia area to encourag them; including org mzat1011s uch as Toward Ind p ndence or Her Story. On B1 tro triv s to creat a saf and in 1ting community m 1d th caf , mirnst ring to its custom rs through quality nd food. Fall 023 "Everybody deep down is looking for some sort of connection, something to belong to some sense of community," Davis said. "They're looking for acceptance, and One Bistro is a place that provides that." Hanging on the inside of the barn door on the right wall of the cafe there is a blackboard. It lists the meal plan for the community meal on Wednesday night, the sponsors of that meal and the volunteers that night and the daily specials, soups and desserts. On the left side is a record of how many meals were given away and volunteer hours donated. Every month the board is updated with hundreds more meals and volunteer hours. Each update to the board testifies to the work that One Bistro does and how it brings people together to serve their community. Avonlea Brown is a junior Broadcasting, Digital Media, and Journalism major from a small town in Maine. She is the co-editor of Campus News for Cedars Student News and currently working towards going abroad to study international journalism. She likes reading, travel, and learning new things. bistro Our Neighbors Eat l
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