Have you ever wanted to own a restaurant? What if I told you, …you already do?
Taste Project is new to the Near Southside and we are still meeting each of our neighbors on South Main Street. Everyone is extremely interested, encouraging, and supportive of Taste and the work we will be doing in Fort Worth. I love watching people process the concept of Taste. Just the other day, I met another one of our neighbors, and he asked me my favorite question: ‘Who is the owner?’. It’s my favorite question because I love the response I get to give… “it’s everyone’s!”.
You see, Taste Project is a non-profit 501(c)3, which some people believe means there is no owner; but the reality is it is owned by the public and community. This means you! When I told this to our neighbor, he had the best reply: “…oh, I’ve always wanted to own a little restaurant”. Well neighbor, …now you do!
Have you always wanted to own a restaurant? Let me tell you about the one you already own…
Taste is a pay-what-you-can restaurant which means it operates on a give and take concept. Patrons can pay what they would typically pay, pay more than they would typically pay to cover a neighbor’s meal, or enjoy a meal for free if needed. But what does that mean?
For many people, it means enjoying a meal at Taste just like they would at any other restaurant in the Near Southside. When your friends or family ask, “where should we eat tonight?”, Taste is the first place that comes to mind. It’s great food, it’s a fun atmosphere, and simply showing up helps the community.
For others, it means having a place to give back. They know and see the reality of hunger in our community. Instead of wondering what to do, at Taste, they can taste and see their generosity at work and become an active participant in the solution.
And for some people in our community Taste may be the only meal they eat all day. 90% of the hungry in our community are not homeless, but they need a little help to make ends meet. Often, they only need help for a short period of time because they have recently received a large medical bill or lost a job. Something as simple as a meal meets them right where they are, and it simply demonstrates that they matter.
Pay-what-you-can means everyone will eat regardless of means. You can eat at your own table with your friends and family, or you can choose to eat at the community table and meet someone new.
That’s how it will work. But, the question is, will it work? …That question isn’t for me to answer. Taste merely exists as a conduit between those in need and those who want to help. We are a facility, a place to foster an interaction and create a platform for community connection. We pray over the space at 1200 South Main Street on a regular basis—that God would use it to reach people. And we have full trust in what God is doing in and through Taste Project.
So, the question I have is, …will He use you?
Continue reading about who we are
Written by Julie Williams
Julie Williams is the wife of Taste Project founder, Jeff Williams. She has volunteered with Taste Project since it’s inception in 2012, and she frequently writes for Taste Project.