TOLEDO, Ohio – After closing its doors due to financial constraints, SAME Café, a beloved local nonprofit, is hoping for a comeback with a fresh name and a revitalized vision. The café, which once operated in Toledo’s Main Library, had become a key resource for individuals seeking healthy meals, regardless of their ability to pay. But after its closure, former employees and volunteers are rallying for its return, seeking community involvement and new ideas to ensure its sustainability.
The once-bustling café space is now marked by a velvet rope barring access to the ordering counter, and a sign announcing the café’s final day of operation. On April 31, the large SAME Café signs will come down, but for those who were a part of the café’s mission, it’s not the end—it’s a new beginning.
Former sous chef Winter Walton, who spent years serving the community through SAME Café, emphasized the importance of the café as more than just a dining establishment. “The café serves as more than just somewhere for you to get something to eat. We see the same people every day, we learn their names, we learn their struggles, we become a part of their community,” Walton explained.
For many patrons, SAME Café wasn’t just a place to eat—it was a lifeline. Ramiro Sarabia, a former volunteer, shared how the café had helped him during tough times. “It provided me a meal when I didn’t have no money… and I was very, very grateful for that,” Sarabia said.
SAME Café, which stands for “So All May Eat,” was founded as a nonprofit initiative to provide healthy food while removing financial barriers. Unlike a traditional soup kitchen, the café offered patrons a chance to contribute to the operation through volunteer work, creating a sense of dignity and community. Walton reflected on this unique approach, stating, “A lot of them tell me this makes me feel like I’ve worked and actually earned my meal instead of getting a handout. This makes people feel like they’re a part of something.”
The Toledo location of SAME Café was the second branch of the Colorado-based nonprofit. Unfortunately, due to financial struggles, the café was forced to close its doors. However, there is hope for a revival. Former executive director Claudia Annoni has shared plans to reopen the café under a new name, though it will retain the same community-driven mission. “Hopefully we’ll come back to the same space, different name but similar mission,” Annoni said. She added that work is already underway to establish a new nonprofit organization in Toledo to support the effort.
The focus of the new venture, Annoni emphasized, will be on sustainability. “It’s not about reopening, but sustaining a model that emphasizes impact over revenue,” she said. The team behind the café is currently exploring alternative funding options, including catering services, new menu items, and grant opportunities, to keep the model afloat and continue supporting the community in the long run.
The financial model of SAME Café had its challenges. The average cost of a meal was $15, while the average donation per meal was less than $3. With this in mind, the café’s leadership is eager to find more sustainable methods to fund the operation while maintaining its core mission of community support.
Former volunteer Sarabia, who was deeply involved in the café’s day-to-day operations, said the key to making the new version successful lies in stronger community involvement. “I don’t see too many improvements where we could’ve improved on it, except having the community more involved,” he noted.
As the café prepares for its next chapter, the Toledo community is invited to participate in the conversation. Whether through suggestions for new ideas, donations, or volunteer work, there are plenty of ways for locals to help bring the café back to life. To get involved or share ideas, individuals can reach out to Claudia Annoni at 419-461-4652.
While the name may change, the heart of the café—its mission to offer healthy meals with no financial barriers—remains at the center of this community-driven endeavor. With the support of Toledo’s residents, the dream of reopening SAME Café could soon become a reality once again.