History

Grace Café, INC was founded in 2014 by Rochelle Bayless.  Bayless had a vision to create a pay-what-you-can community restaurant committed to delicious, fresh, locally sourced, highly-nutritious food served to all who walked through the door. The café was established on the nonprofit restaurant business model developed by the One World Everybody Eats (OWEE). The Café’s daily changing menu did not have set prices, but rather a suggested donation amount for each item. Customers are asked to either “pay and pay-it-forward” for the next person, pay-what-you-can, or volunteer for 30 minutes in exchange for a meal. People who can afford to “pay-it-forward” have the opportunity to help their neighbors; folks who “pay-what-you-can” have the opportunity to eat a healthy, delicious and locally sourced meal with dignity; and those with nothing have the opportunity to work in exchange for a meal.

Grace opened its doors in July 2015, serving Danville community with lunch four days a week and brunch on Sunday.  In January of 2017, the café was able to expand its service to seven days a week. Each year, Grace hosted a block party to thank the community. The impact Grace Cafe had on people who came to eat was evident, it built friendships around a community table, provided healthy delicious food to everyone and gave people a place to volunteer and serve all.

On March 17, 2020, the beginning of Covid 19, Grace closed its doors to customers to take-out only. Because community and volunteering are such integral parts of the café, the Board of Directors made the decision to pause operations on Saturday June 16, 2020.

Grace Café had huge successes. In the 1,524 days Grace was open, 86,282 meals were served and 18,087 volunteer hours. Grace received several awards including Heart of Danville “Heart of Fire Award”, Rebecca Award and Quality of Life Vision Award from Bluegrass Tomorrow.

Grace Café was featured by the Obama Foundation on World Food Day in 2018. Other highlights include: Chefs Dinner with Chef Daniel Wu, Community Lunches, Donor Dinners, Block Parties, Farmer Events and a Leap Year Celebration with Chef Ouita Michel.

Behind Grace Café success was its staff. From the first day, everyone who poured their heart and soul into this organization did so out of love for food and most importantly to provide grace and dignity to everyone who walked through the door.  Grace Café was always surrounded by an amazing Board of Directors who faithfully supported its mission.