FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Nestled in the heart of Fort Collins, FoCo Cafe is a café, but it's also a nonprofit.
FoCo Cafe offers a unique pay model by allowing customers to pay what they can. Whether you’re paying full price or contributing what you can afford, everyone is welcome. People can also pay by volunteering their time or service.
The nonprofit is celebrating their 10-year anniversary this Thanksgiving. They opened back in 2014.
"We like to say we’re giving people a 'hand up' and not a handout because we know everyone in the community has something to provide that's not necessarily money," said Dexter Beasley, executive director.
He said they've seen an increase in customers recently. They plan on serving around 300 people this upcoming Thanksgiving, whether that's dine-in or takeout service. There's vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian options available.
"We do that because just because someone can't go out and afford to pay for a meal, doesn’t mean that they don’t have dietary preferences or restrictions," he said.
While there, we saw people volunteering their time by helping sweep the floors, play music, serve food and more. Brett Stiefken, front door host, said a few months ago, he lost his home.
He eats lunch at FoCo Cafe often and he loves paying it forward to his friends and family.