A local non-profit celebrated one year of their cafe being in business yesterday afternoon (October 14th).
Members of Grow It Forward and Harmony Cafe gathered on 8th Street to recognize their new location after it moved to downtown Manitowoc last year.
Executive Director Amber Daugs explained to Seehafer News that it’s incredible that the cafe has been around for an entire year on 8th Street because they’ve seen a 150% increase in people coming in.
“We definitely feel the love and support of our community,” she said. “We could do this without the community supporting us feeding people in need.”
Daugs said before a ribbon cutting from the Chamber Manitowoc County that last year they helped over 1,200 households, providing over $750,000 worth of resources to those in need.
The organization has already helped 400 children this year around the schools and has also seen an increase in people going to their food pantry.
Daugs says with everyone supporting the cafe, they can continue their mission.
She explained, “It’s really apparent what tourism is in downtown Manitowoc and the efforts that the city of Manitowoc has put in specifically into our tourism, so we are very, very grateful.”
The celebration also coincided with an art exhibit called “Food is a Love Language.”
Local and area artists created artwork that people can buy, with the proceeds going back to Harmony Cafe.
Daugs explained her favorite, the edible flowers, sit prominently in the window.
“We have things all around us that can be food,” she said. “Not just your typical food, but to have something that is educational and fits within our mission is really impactful.”
While the flowers aren’t actually edible, the connection to food being around is seen when inside.
Harmony Cafe is open Tuesday through Friday 7:00 am to 2:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
ll sales go back toward Grow It Forward’s mission to provide access to provide people with good food.
You can learn more about the cafe online or listen to the Cultivating Communities Show with Grow It Forward every Wednesday at 10:25 a.m. on WOMT radio.
