Restaurants That Give Back

Located in Hazelwood, Community Kitchen Pittsburgh (CKP) has been providing culinary training to help unemployed and underemployed residents overcome barriers since opening in 2014. That training is provided free of charge as students train alongside a professional chef and give back to the community in the form of meal prep for homeless shelters and schools, among many other activities.

I met with Executive Director Jennifer Flanagan for their fantastic fish fry, just one of many public-facing initiatives CKP does to help fund their programs. What I loved about their program in particular is how holistic the process is - everything from bus passes to paid training are provided for students and CKP's staff continue following up with graduates well after graduation to offer continued support and encouragement.

When you visit CKP, it's clear the momentum for this place is quickly expanding in scope and transforming the surrounding neighborhood. Bloom Café is packed during fish fry season, they recently expanded their offerings to include a butchery program and, COMING SOON, a food truck will join the fleet of CPK opportunities!

The gumbo and sandwiches are fantastic, but the community aspect is what makes this North Side staple so memorable. Café on the Corner owners Lateresa and Michael Blackwell consider their space a community hub, especially for younger kids who need a space to be themselves.

In 2016, the Blackwells took this a step further and created Kitchen of Grace, a 16-week hospitality training program for ages 16-20. This comprehensive program includes a stipend and uniforms for each young adult, training and becoming ServSafe certified, helping students successfully transition into the workforce. Kitchen of Grace also helps organize toy drives, trunk or treat and other community-minded events.

Yes, it's one of the highest-rated restaurants in the city, but did you know that 40 North and the Alphabet City venue it resides in are part of City of Asylum? This incredible nonprofit, the largest of its kind in the world, helps writers who are in exile or otherwise imperiled to continue creating as they transition to their new life.

Writers and artists in this program are housed in Sampsonia Way, given a stipend and medical benefits to great success; each person in this residency program has finished a full-length work while in residence and almost all have then gone on to full employment in the U.S.

While dining at 40 North, take time to explore the attached City of Asylum bookstore, the largest collection of works in translation in the city. A ten-day literary festival and programming from a diverse group of authors, filmmakers and musicians round out the additional ways City of Asylum gives back to Pittsburgh, as well.

Fun Fact: What's with the name? 40 North refers to the latitude of Pittsburgh (technically 40.440624 N, but let's not get too critical).

If you've noticed a theme in this blog so far, I hope it's how each of the restaurants mentioned thus far each give back to their own Pittsburgh neighborhood and provide a unique service for those that need it most. At Brother André’s Café (located Downtown right next to PPG Paints Arena), their mission is to provide job opportunities to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Because of the immense challenges that adults with IDD face in the hiring process despite wanting to work, Brother André’s Café helps to bridge that gap, employing those individuals as paid baristas in their welcoming coffee shop. Make sure you check out the gift shop as well for products that were made by artisans with IDD from developing nations.

With award-winning versions of their concept already in Dallas and Nashville, we were excited to see Café Momentum Pittsburgh open its doors Downtown in 2023. Their unique program works alongside the Juvenile Justice Department and local partners to give justice-involved youth all the tools they need to succeed.

So, what does that experience look like? Interns in this program enter the classroom/restaurant of Café Momentum for a 12-month curriculum that teaches practical skills as well as financial education, career readiness and life skills. The end goal is for graduates to land jobs with top companies and thrive in their personal and career goals.

Located in the East Allegheny neighborhood just down the road from 40 North is The Garden Café, which opened in 2020. Great coffee and pastries keep the locals coming back alongside community-centered events like their free plant events!

What really makes this location stand out is their Community Fridge initiative, a 24/7 fridge and pantry on their back patio that is packed with fresh produce, dairy, pre-packaged foods and personal care items for those in need. The fridge is stocked with physical donations or gifts made online.

Helping end food insecurity is also an important mission of Pure Grub in Millvale. Teaming up with Abeille Voyante Tea Co., coolers are stocked with prepared meals and dry goods in Millvale and McKees Rocks locations for residents to take what they need, no questions asked.

Donations can be made at Pure Grub or by Venmo'ing @puregrub412.

One of the newest locations in the city (opened fall 2023), Bunny Bakes in Squirrel Hill not only has a stellar menu of pastries and De Fer collab coffees, it also focuses on accessibility for all. The space was designed with accessibility as a key part of their mission (there's even adult changing tables in the restroom), and the coffee stop also hires workers with special needs, giving them the support and experience they need as they transition to roles throughout the city.

Places like this popping up around the city are without a doubt one of my favorite new trends that make me so happy to be a Pittsburgher!

Part of the Avenues of Hope initiative, CARES CommuniTEA Cafe is at the forefront of sustainable Black main street development in Pittsburgh. For residents, CARES provides entrepreneurship and workforce development training to youths and young adults.

In addition to normal café fare, CARES makes sure their space is available to host community gatherings and displaying local artwork. A book nook is even available for children to enjoy as their parents sip their drinks!

Header Photo Credit: Henry Reese