Community Dining
Donoghue's Open Door is this region's ONLY community dining concept! How cool! So now the million dollar question (drum roll please)... what in the world is community dining? We're so glad you asked!
The Community Dining Experience
When you join us at Donoghue's Open Door, you will enter through the FeedNC lobby where you will be greeted by our friendly, smiling volunteers and staff. In our dining room, you will be given our a la carte menu where everyone is able to choose one meal per day at no charge (Monday - Friday 9-11 breakfast and 11-2 lunch) dine-in only. Our amazing volunteers will take your order, send you a confirmation text, and hand you a number to bring to your table. You can then go fill your drink, grab a cup of loose leaf tea if it's breakfast, utensils and then choose your table. We do encourage folks to join their neighbors at one of our community tables to make new connections & friends! We also have private tables for those who are little more shy or are just enjoying a quick business lunch. There will be fun and festive activities going on in the dining room such as: music (singing, piano, guitar, etc.), story time for kids, cooking demos, and other entertainment to look forward to!
What's The Purpose of Community Dining?
First, we believe everyone deserves nutritious food and good people in their lives. This is our way of breaking down those barriers and encouraging the community to come together to enjoy a good meal and their neighbor's company. Just because you’re not in need, doesn’t mean you don’t need community! At FeedNC and Donoghue’s Open Door, we believe every person has something to give and receive, including skills, talents, and compassion. Coming together as a community builds valuable social capital. What is social capital? Simply put, it is the value derived from positive connections between people. A great example is a person dining at Donoghue’s Open Door who is in need of a job getting the opportunity to sit next to a business owner looking to hire someone and those two individuals coming together to support one another through this connection.
Second, while Donoghue's Open Door is lead by our two amazingly talented Chefs (Brendan & Brad), it is executed by our Culinary Workforce Development students and graduates! How's that for a lunch & learn!
What is Social Capital?
Social capital is defined by SNHU, as the following:
Bonding refers to social capital created within a group with shared interests and goals. A neighborhood association is a good example of how bonding works.
Bridging, on the other hand, is the creation of social capital across groups. When bridging is successful, individuals in the two groups discover shared interests and goals and work together to achieve them. A neighborhood association that links up with a local police department is an example of how bridging works.
Linking, similar to bridging, linking creates ties across groups, but those that span different socioeconomic groups. Linking has been associated with increasing one's chances of upward social mobility.
So What's the Catch... How Is It Free?
Well...it's not technically free - even though the meals are free of charge, we rely on donations at FeedNC to make all of our programs possible, including Donoghue's Open Door. So when caring community members like yourselves contribute to the mission, it helps us support all of our programs including our innovative community dining concept!
How Do I Pay?
We DO NOT accept payment for food or tips at Donoghue's Open Door. However, if after your meal you feel called to contribute to our mission, you can do so a few different ways. There is a QR code behind the dining room kiosk and on the table tents that will bring you to a link where you can make a financial contribution electronically online. You can also find this link on your mobile receipt. Additionally, cash or credit donations can be made to FeedNC in the lobby at the reception desk.
