Is Donoghue’s Open Door really a free community dining experience?
Yes! Donoghue’s Open Door is a program of FeedNC, and it exists because everyone should have healthy food and good people in their lives.

Is Everyone Welcome at Donoghue’s Open Door?
Yes! Donoghue’s is the opposite of the typical public dining experience where you expect no interaction with other diners. People come to Donoghue’s BECAUSE there are good people all around, and they want to meet. It’s been happening at FeedNC since 1987.

Why is it called Donoghue’s Open Door?
John and Pam Donoghue have been FeedNC champions for many years, and they were an integral part of creating the FeedNC community dining space. Too many families in our community face closed doors, and the Donoghue Family wanted to help open those doors and create opportunities for good people to meet.

When is Donoghue’s open?
Donoghue’s dining room is open and serving made-to-order breakfast and lunch items Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

What is the menu at Donoghue’s Open Door?
We have a regular menu of beautiful, healthy, delicious breakfast and lunch items, and every day we have Specials. On our website, you can check-out our menu and learn more about our talented chefs, our Culinary Workforce students, and our delightful volunteers.

How can the food be free at Donoghue’s?
Donoghue’s partners provide us donated-and-still-healthy food every day. It passes rigorous quality control before our kitchen team creates each day’s cook-to-order meals. In addition, we receive cash and in-kind donations from individuals, congregations, corporations, and foundations that believe in our work. You can help too!

Why Does Donoghue’s Offer Community Tables?
We have seen it time and again: when neighbors get to know one another at FeedNC, good things happen. If you choose to sit at a Community Table when you visit, you’ll meet your fellow diners and get to know them a little – maybe a lot! If you don’t have time or aren’t ready for the Community Dining Experience, you can opt out. We promise we’ll make you feel comfortable, no matter what you’re looking for!

May I tip my server?
Everyone serving you at Donoghue’s is either a volunteer or a workforce-development student, so no tips are accepted!

Does Donoghue’s have workforce-development students?
Yes! FeedNC offers 12-week workforce-development programs in culinary skills and warehouse logistics. Donoghue’s is really a hands-on learning lab for our culinary students, and when they graduate, our restaurant and food-service partners are eager to employ them! Learn more about our workforce-development programs here.

Why doesn’t Donoghue’s offer to-go meals?
At Donoghue’s Open Door, the in-dining experience is most conducive to providing healthy food and encouraging good people to get acquainted. We welcome all diners to take one meal per day in-person at Donoghue’s. And for those in our community who cannot leave their homes easily, we offer our Food Movers program for home delivery of groceries and pre-packaged frozen meals.

How do I get to FeedNC’s new facility?
There are several transportation options for joining us at 2456 Charlotte Hwy in Mooresville. For drivers, bikers, and walkers, here’s the map to our new facility. For bus riders, the iCATS Mooresville main circuit offers a convenient stop right at our location.

Should I dress-up to eat at Donoghue’s?
We hope you’ll come-as-you-are when you dine at Donoghue’s. We would love for you to be fully dressed – with shoes – when you come in. If that means you take your breakfast with us in your PJs and slippers, we’ll do our best to support your wardrobe choices!

Can I volunteer at Donoghue’s?
Yes! FeedNC wouldn’t exist without our volunteers. In this new facility, we will expand our programs and are eager to welcome new volunteers to the FeedNC family. Volunteers help with Donoghue’s Open Door, with our Grassroots Grocery, our Food Movers program, Mimi’s Garden (named for Mimi Earnhardt…), and more. Learn all about volunteering at FeedNC today!

Can my community group meet at Donoghue’s?
Community groups are welcome (encouraged!) to meet and eat in Donoghue’s dining room in first-come-first-served space Mon-Fri, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Private meeting space in the evenings and weekends accommodating groups from 5 – 229 will be available to rent beginning July2023. Sign-up to receive early details of our event-rental & catering.

Does Donoghue’s cater – and is that free too?
Later this year we will begin catering for events held here in Donoghue’s main dining room (capacity 229), in our classroom (capacity 60), and in our conference room (capacity 15). We’re so excited our supporters can introduce FeedNC and our programs to their family and friends in this beautiful space. We will charge near market-rate for our catering and event-space rentals, and all proceeds will support FeedNC’s programs. Learn more!

How did FeedNC create this beautiful new space?
FeedNC successfully launched and completed our $7.5 million capital campaign during COVID. That was a scary decision, and every day we are humbled by the gifts and actions of those in our community who want to be a part of it. It’s not too late to help!