Refill with Randy – Café in Albion pays it forward
By Randy LeBaron
Good morning! Grab your favorite cup. Fill it up. And let’s start this NEW YEAR right… TOGETHER!!!
Last Saturday I joined other volunteers helping out with the Hands 4 Hope Street Ministry. On this particularly cold morning it felt like my hands were frozen after only a few minutes as I wrote down people’s information before praying with them.
At one point I commented about how cold I was to a guy who had come by for the first time only to learn that he was homeless. There I was complaining about having to deal with the cold for only a couple hours when this young man, and a number of others who ended up stopping by, had to deal with the cold non-stop and would probably be grateful for even a couple hours of warm reprieve. It was a humbling realization to be sure.
It reminded me of when I first moved to the area nearly 20 years ago. I had posted a newspaper article by Tom Rivers on a bulletin board in my church. The article focused on the homeless in our community and I overheard people talking about it and not believing that it could be true. Thankfully though, not only have many others become aware of just how real the homelessness situation is in Orleans County but have also been prompted to do something about it.
The Hoag Library is open and warm throughout most days, Christ Church in Albion is a designated Warming Center whenever the temperature drops below 32° (COLD BLUE), and other organizations are finding ways to make an impact on a more individual level. One that has been focused on feeding those in need is the Risen Café in Albion.
In October 2022 God’s Voice Ministries out of Lockport planted a church in the old Club 469 on E. State St. in Albion. In March of 2023 Pastor Terry Bryant, Assistant Pastor Sarah Ferguson, and Head Chef John Angelucci, along with other volunteers from the church, opened Risen Café with the tagline “Sharing Christ 1 Cup of Coffee at a Time.”
Some things that stuck out right away were that their meals were delicious, affordable, included taxes in the pricing, and they did not accept tips. You heard that right, a decision was made early on that tips for servers would not be accepted but instead if anyone wanted to give a little extra they could support the “Ministry of the Month.” In 2023 a little over $10,000 was collected and distributed to such ministries as: Care-Net of Orleans, Hands 4 Hope Street Ministries, Hospice of Orleans, Trade 180, and Koinonia Kitchen. Throughout January 2024 they are collecting for Community Action.
In a similar vein, there was a fund set up by the church which allowed for someone who may be having a bad day or was simply in need of some encouragement to receive their meal for free. By summertime this had evolved into providing free meals for a number of homeless individuals who had started to frequent both the Café and the church. In August almost $2,000 worth of meals were given away. After realizing that they did not have the funds to keep giving away meals at that rate, while not wanting anyone to have to go without, the idea of the “Pay It Forward” ministry was formed. Now customers at the Café can purchase specific meals which are then hung up for anyone in need to take down and to turn in for whatever food or drink the card says. The “used” meal cards are then left out as a visual to let supporters the fruit of their generosity.
In addition to “Pay it Forward” Risen Café also has a small food pantry and the church, which has a celebration service every Sunday morning at 11 a.m., hosts Redeemed Recovery, a faith-based meeting for anyone with troubles, on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. The members of God’s Voice Ministries also picks one day a month to support and serve at another community-minded organization.
And, for anyone afraid that they might go in for a meal and get the Bible shoved down their throat instead, I personally guarantee you have nothing to worry about. If you have something that you want to talk or pray about you can certainly find someone willing spend time with you but if all you want is great burger served with a smile then that is what you will get. And of course, if you want to buy an extra meal and pay it forward, you too can be part of something special.
See you in two weeks!
Pastor Randy