Pay It Forward: Karma Kitchen
Karma Kitchen is just like many other restaurants. There are courteous wait staff, hungry patrons and delicious food. However, there are no bills.
The menu does not list any prices, and at the end of the meal, diners are presented with a note stating – “In the spirit of generosity, someone who came before you made a gift of this meal. We hope you will continue the circle of giving in your own way!”. Some patrons make cash donations, some volunteer as wait staff, and others provide fresh vegetables from their own gardens.
Karma Kitchen operates on Sunday’s from 2 locations. The locations are standard restaurants who turn over their premises to KK for the day. Each week groups of volunteers assemble at the restaurants to practice generosity through the simple act of serving a meal. “Karma Kitchen is a project of CharityFocus, a unique nonprofit organization that ignites and supports small expressions of service through technology.”
Unfortunately, I do not live in a city with a Karma Kitchen, but I hope that one opens near me soon. I have always found that food tastes better if it is offered and received in the spirit of generosity. In the interim KK is on my list of must-visits sites in Washington, D.C. , and I will be on the look out for similar ventures in my own city.
If you are near a Karma Kitchen, I hope that you try it out, and share your experience with bromography and the world.
Sundays, 11AM-3PM @ Taste of Himalayas Restaurant, 1700 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA
Sundays, 12-3PM @ Polo India Club Restaurant, 1736 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC, 202-483-6514
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What a cool idea. NPR did a story on a town I believe in the Midwest that has been shrinking do to loss of jobs. Various residents have taken to having impromptu “potluck” restaurants around town to help build a spirit of community.
Thanks for the post.
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This is a kind gesture and contribution to the community. There’s one or two (same pwners) back in my hometown named Annalakshmi,where they served vegetarian Indian cuisine (no alcohol served or allowed into the premise). What you donate in cash, help out in the kitchen, etc to the place are generated into helping less fortunate families, education for youngsters who wanted to learn Traditional Classical Indian Arts and also allow us to help the underprivileged in India via The Temple of Service, providing free food and medical services. Originated from Malaysia, it’s even open her door in Australia. Taste and choices? Delicious! In my hometown, Penang island, every Saturday is buffet day…:-) and sometimes after meals , my family and I would watched the children danced the Bharatanatyam .
Thank you for sharing your story. The more people know about this type of kindness, the better off we all are.
wow, I wish they would come here in NYC!
Oh I just love this! Thanks for sharing this.
A wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing.
This is such a cool idea! Will definitely keep a lookout for one in Seattle or on my travels.
I really like the idea, what a great concept!
Interesting. Thank you for sharing. Cheers !
Absolutely amazing Idea…I going to try to get that implemented once a mont on a sunday where I live or travel to…