I found a home in a restaurant that serves free food with a powerful message.

Table Grace is a nonprofit organization where anyone can come in for a free meal. To “pay” for the food, people can either volunteer to work behind the counter or pay anything they can as a donation. They generate a new menu everyday depending on food donations they receive, and I got the amazing opportunity to go and get the true essence of the Table Grace experience.

Smiling staff members welcome people into the restaurant some people call home. Hand painted murals decorate each wall with a vibrant, graffiti style that adds to the mismatched vibe of the cafe. There are a wide variety of colors and textures in the restaurant; white tiled countertops to checkered flooring to royal purple air vents on the ceiling.

The Everything-Bagel had two perfectly toasted slices with that mouthwatering seasoning and smooth cream cheese spread. This savoury brunch food was the best thing I have ever put in my mouth.

The Italian beef and mushroom pizza was the biggest let down of the day. Three mounds of chunky beef and two cold mushrooms on the pizza, with hand shredded colby jack cheese. The taste was nothing short of cold-cardboard-box. The pizza was a bit cold and had a bitter taste.

The salad, however, was truly heaven sent. For everyday spring mix lettuce and ranch, the earthy crunch of the greens added with the savoury touch of ranch took my tastebuds on a magical rollercoaster of intermixing flavors. By far the best entree of the day.

I also got the wonderful opportunity to interview C.O.O Executive Chef Matt Weber about his views on the restaurant and what it means to him to be a part of such a meaningful message to the Omaha community.

“I just want everyone to know that Table Grace is for them,” Weber said. “Doesn’t matter who you are. It’s not a soup kitchen for the homeless, it’s a community cafe where people participate and help each other.”