Next work day at the building scheduled for Sunday, September 8 from 11-3
RSVP HERE to join us (lunch included).
Coming Soon...
The Ivy Table
Pay-it-Forward Cafe
and Event Space
10180 E Grand River Ave,
Brighton, MI, 48116
The BIG Dream
Many years ago, God placed on our heart the dream of having a brick and mortar space in our community, a space where people of all ages, all backgrounds, and all income levels, could gather together for great food and meaningful fellowship. That dream will soon become a reality in the former Brighton House/ Alexanders building, which has now been vacant for over 7 years. In addition providing the space needed for our programs to expand, the building will allow us to create a hospitality hub for our community and a regular income stream for our ministry.
Our new space will include:​
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A 1400 sf dining area that will host a pay-it-forward cafe* on select weekdays AND be rented out as a small event venue on weekends for parties of up to 125 people
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A large commercial kitchen that will allow us to increase our meal production for the food insecure in our area AND be rented out as a commissary kitchen to small food based businesses
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A 300 sf conference room that will provide an office space for our team AND can be used for small meetings, bible studies, support groups, etc.
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And best of all as a 501c3 nonprofit, 100% of the proceeds that are generated from this unique and beautiful space will be used to bless those in need both locally and abroad.
The BIG Questions
*What is a pay-it-forward cafe??? It will look like and operate like a typical restaurant. We will offer a limited menu of fresh made dishes. People will come in and place their order... BUT, instead of receiving a bill that needs to be paid, guests will be shown the retail market value of their meal with a note that reads "Accept a free meal to be blessed or pay-it-forward to be more blessed". Those who are in need of a free meal, may accept one without no questions asked. Those who would like to pay-it-forward can make a donation or offer to volunteer their time with us. It will be a cafe that promotes generosity and doing good for others. It will be a place where the community unites as one and there will be no way to differentiate the "haves" from the "have nots".​
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Why do we need a pay-it-foward cafe in our community? In Livingston County, 1 in 13 people are now experiencing food insecurity (not having access to enough nutritious food to live a healthy lifestyle) and 50% of them do not qualify for government food assistance. Having a shame free, stigma free place where healthy and delicious food is available to everyone is essential. No one should have to go to bed hungry in any community (but especially one as affluent as ours). Increasing education about the food insecurity and providing simple and practical ways for everyone to help will have a huge impact on combating the problem.
The BIG Ask
​Financial Donation- The final cost of the project is now estimated to come in around $1,200,000. With $729,000 received to date, we continue to seek individuals and businesses who are interested in partnering with us. DONATIONS THROUGH SEPTEMPBER WILL BE DOUBLED, thanks to Foguth Financial Group and The Ted and Jane Von Voigtlander Foundation. With every donation having twice the impact, what level of support can you offer? No amount is too small to help make a difference!
$100,000 DIAMOND DONOR
$50,000 PLATINUM DONOR
$25,000 GOLD DONOR
$10,000 SILVER DONOR
$5,000 BRONZE DONOR
$1,000
$Other
This will be a space build for the community by the community, and everyone who gives will be recognized permanently in it.
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As a 501c3 charity, all donations are fully tax-deductible as allowed by the IRS
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In-Kind Donations- In addition to financial donors, the project will require volunteers to help with demolition, cleaning, and rebuilding. We will also need contractors who are skilled at framing, drywall, painting, asphalt sealing, windows/doors, flooring, security cameras, generators, gutters, landscaping, and much more​. Let us know how you would like to donate your time or talents. ​
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We are currently looking for volunteers to help us clean-up, demo, and renovate the space.
The BIG Answer!
Although purchasing a building seemed like an unachievable task, God has opened door after door in order to make it possible. We have already seen BIG answers to prayer including:​
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A very generous $300,000 price concession and equally generous purchase terms from the Ghneim Family, current owners of the building, with an offer to volunteer with us once we are up and running :)
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Unanimous approval by the Brighton Township Planning Board on our application
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Donations that exceed $500,000 within the first month of sharing our vision
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An experienced builder, Stan Schafer, offering his general contracting services to oversee the renovations for FREE​
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A national architecture firm, Hobbs and Black, offering their services for FREE
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An experienced real estate attorney offered to work on our purchase agreement for FREE
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Many trades people offering their labor at FREE or reduced prices after learning what we plan to do with the space
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Dozens of notes of encouragement and prayer from members of our community who are excited about what we are doing
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THANK YOU and keep praying!
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"To him who is able to do exceeding abundantly more than we can ask or imagine... to Him be the glory!" -Eph 3:21
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Singer, Jon Bon Jovi has a restaurant chain with a very similar mission. This 6 minute video helps explain the how and why of a nonprofit cafe.
Great Meals + Great Mission!