photo:
Alicia Eler; pictured: quiche and lemon cloud pie
Buying organic and local foods makes consumers feel good about what they're putting in their mouths, but what about infusing our eats with the spirit of philanthropy to boost morale? By supporting under-served communities, donating meals to charity and helping revitalize neighborhoods, local cafes are giving back without sacrificing taste. By visiting these do-good spots, you'll feed your soul as well as your belly.
First Slice
Located inside the Lillstreet Art Center, this cafe churns out an ever-rotating array of sandwiches, like one with smoked turkey and cranberry-cherry chutney, which goes perfectly with a cup of organic Intelligentsia coffee and a chocolate espresso brownie. Owner Mary Ellen Diaz makes it her mission to provide great food for disadvantaged families through her shareholder program: You can purchase a subscription to pick up prepared, restaurant-quality meals on a weekly basis, and the proceeds—from just one subscriber—help feed 20 people in need. You can also volunteer at the community-supported kitchen or make a donation—only $40 pays for 50–60 servings of hot soup for Chicago's homeless. Big givers with big hearts can to donate $396, which feeds a low-income family of three for 12 weeks.
Bleeding Heart Bakery
A varied clientele, from die-hard vegans to fashion-minded boutique-goers, trek to this pink-walled, punk-rock bakery, the first in the country to use 100-percent certified organic ingredients. Scrumptious pastries like the banana fudge walnut brownie, a thick tender square of the choco-goodness covered in walnuts, and the popular Take a Hike scone, made with rolled oats, pumpkin and flax seeds, cranberries and apricots, are just a couple of its offerings. What's really sweet, though, are the steps that owners Michelle and Valentin Garcia take to give back: They donate day-old pastries to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and "purchase with a purpose" by buying products from Shaman Chocolates, an organization that helps the Huichol Indians of Mexico's Sierra Madre Mountains—one of the last tribes in North America that retains its pre-Colombian traditions.
Uncommon Ground
The cuisine here focuses on seasonal, local and organic products, with owners Mike and Helen Cameron buying from farmers markets whenever possible. You can take an environmentally friendly meal, like the popular pistachio-crusted tilapia, up a notch by pairing it with a Tree-Tini. For everyone one of these martinis, made with melon-infused Rain organic vodka, organic white grape juice and a shot of mint syrup, sold, the owners plant a tree. The cafe also hosts green-focused events, with speakers like the Executive Directors of Greenfest discussing why buying local is so important. And true to the cafe's musical bent (it hosts live music almost nightly), the Camerons donate money toward music scholarships at the Old Town School of Folk Music.
Heartland Cafe
In bohemian Roger's Park, Heartland represents everything idealistic about the '60s. Step inside the hulking structure to find a well-stocked general store, with items like leftist mags and Dr. Bronner's All-Purpose Soap. The accompanying bar serves up brews daily, and the giant dining room offers a menu full of items for conscious consumers, like Free-Range Chicken Chardonnay (a juicy, boneless breast sauteed with scallions, tomatoes, spices and chardonnay over pasta) and the vegan-friendly grilled cheese, made with soy cheese. Co-owner Michael James gives on a weekly basis by donating gift certificates to "every school, theatre or non-profit asking for a donation" and by hosting events for charity, like a recent cookout to benefit Trilogy, an organization for mentally and physically disabled people, and treating folks at the Lakeshore Nursing Home to lunch and a cooking class.
Bronzeville Coffee House, Inc.
Owners Richard Chalmers and Trez Pugh opened up this spot two years ago to serve the neighborhood's caffeine addicts, but also to serve as a catalyst for the Bronzeville community's revitalization project. "Buildings are being torn down at an unprecedented rate to make room for townhouses and condos in Bronzeville, and we want to help bring more retail and other businesses into the community," says Chalmers. A neighborhood vibe resonates throughout; patrons chat it up at the counter, sipping on their pick from the 40-plus teas, fair-trade coffee by Alterra or sweet concoctions like the Caramel Royale, with espresso, caramel, steamed milk and whipped cream. The cafe turns into a music venue for local acts at night, and Chalmers and Pugz donate to local churches and the Urban League, with plans to increase their support as the business grows.
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