Everybody Eats - A Movement

Everybody Eats: A Movement - Season 2 Episode 2 with Elena Dalton - FARM Cafe

In this episode, Renee is joined by her colleague and close friend, Elena Dalton, the Executive Director of Farm Cafe. Elena shares her journey from a vision-board-planning applicant to leading the organization through some transformative years.
The heart of this conversation explores the "expert generalist" nature of nonprofit leadership and the unique, successful succession plan that kept Renee involved in the cafe mission while Elena took the helm. They discuss the importance of having a "head on a swivel" in a community cafe, the value of food recovery programs, and why a background in restaurant work is more critical to nonprofit success than most people realize.
Elena also reflects on how the cafe serves as a mirror for self-discovery, revealing the deep human need for community and fellowship. Whether you are starting a nonprofit or planning your exit, this episode offers a masterclass in leadership, vulnerability, and building an organization that can thrive for generations.
__________________________________________________________
Elena Dalton became interested in food systems work while studying Sustainable Development at Appalachian State University. During that time, she embraced a love of cooking and gardening that later translated into work with farms, edible schoolyards, and educational community gardens in the High Country.  She later continued her education at UNC Greensboro’s Graduate School where she earned a degree in Nonprofit Management. 
 
Elena joined F.A.R.M. Cafe as a program coordinator in January 2018 and has been the Executive Director for three years. She takes pride in her growth within the organization and her deepening understanding of the ways shared food and fellowship strengthen community. Outside of work, she is happiest spending time with her family and loved ones.  She and her daughter enjoy making treats for the whole family, including their very good dog, Louie, and exploring the mountains they call home.
 
 
 

Everybody Eats: A Movement - Season 2 Episode 1 with Laura Mahn - NEST Cafe

Host Renee Boughman sits down with Rev. Laura Evans Mahn, founder and executive director of NEST Cafe (Nourish Everyone Sustainably Together), a pay-what-you-can cafe in Rock Island, Illinois, serving the Quad Cities.
Laura and Renee dig into what it takes to establish a mission-driven cafe, why so many of these spaces are led by women, and what critics get wrong about “feel-good” solutions to hunger.
Rev. Laura Evans Mahn is the founder and Executive Director of NEST Café (Nourish Everyone Sustainably Together). Raised in North Carolina, she attended the University of North Carolina, Wilmington and later received her Master’s in Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
Laura has served as a church pastor in various locations, worked in various nonprofits, and traveled quite a bit. In all of these positions and locations, Laura has learned that what she loves most is hearing people’s stories. Those stories, both the ones she has listened to and the ones she has observed, those shared around a table and those shared because of the lack of a table, have led to NEST Café. Having a place where people gather over real food and experience a sense of “home” no matter how much they can pay, has been a dream of hers for a very long time. NEST Café is a dream come true!
Laura has called Rock Island, IL home for the past 18 years. She and her husband, Jason, are parents to 2 boys, 1 dog, and a handful of chickens.

Everybody Eats: A Movement - Season 1 Episode 5 - with Marcus Gupton

In the studio with Renee is Marcus Gupton, a long-time volunteer and staff member of Farm Cafe in Boone, North Carolina. Marcus shares his journey through homelessness, describing it as “the collapse of your entire outer reality,” and explains how Farm Cafe became both a refuge and a community for him.
Together, Renee and Marcus explore the transformative power of human connection in a pay-what-you-can café, where people from all walks of life—students, locals, and those experiencing homelessness—come together over shared meals. Marcus reflects on the value of bartering service for food, the importance of being seen and valued, and how Farm Cafe’s inclusive model breaks down social barriers.
The conversation also touches on the impact of Hurricane Helene, with Marcus offering moving insights on loss, resilience, and the lessons of empathy that emerge from starting over. Through personal stories and honest reflection, this episode shines a light on the strength found in community and the hope that grows when everyone has a seat at the table.
 
 
Marcus Gupton
 
Marcus Gupton was born in Louisburg, NC, in the summer of 1970. Growing up; he lived in Brussels Belgium, Durham, NC, and Sydney, Australia. He has called Boone home since 1992, working as a student, a clerk, and as a volunteer and staff member at F.A.R.M. Cafe. 

Everybody Eats: A Movement - Season 1 Episode 4 - with Libby Birky

In this episode, host Renee Boughman welcomes Libby Birky, co-founder of SAME Cafe in Denver, for a deep dive into the philosophy and practicalities behind community cafes. Libby shares her journey from running one of the nation’s first nonprofit, pay-what-you-can cafe to mentoring new cafes across the country, emphasizing the importance of dignity, authentic relationships, and community participation over transactional models. The conversation explores the differences between suggested donation systems and open-ended giving, the challenges of maintaining equity and respect for all guests, and the creative problem-solving required to make these unique restaurants work.
Together, Renee and Libby discuss lessons learned from years of experience, including the need for trauma-informed care, the value of offering real choice to guests, and the ongoing work of balancing financial sustainability with the mission to serve everyone. This episode offers an honest look at what makes community cafes successful, the pitfalls to avoid, and why building a space where everyone is welcome is both messy and deeply rewarding.
 
Libby Birky co-founded SAME Café in Denver, CO with her husband Brad back in 2006—because what’s marriage without starting a non-profit restaurant together, right? In 2018, she “pre-tired” from the daily grind (think retiring, but trendier and earlier) and hit the road in a camper van with Brad, visiting  community cafés along the way. Since their tour de cafe road trip, Libby’s been the fairy godmother of community cafés —helping out with HR headaches, kitchen conundrums, and delivering top-tier moral support with a side of encouragement (no extra charge).
Armed with a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction (aka: professional teaching smarts), Libby spent twelve years wrangling elementary schoolers before swapping the classroom for the kitchen—same chaos, better snacks. She’s now based in Georgia with her husband and two vintage dogs, Leo & Gemini, who enjoy long naps and judging squirrels. A fan of all things triathlon—biking, swimming, and running—Libby no longer attempts them simultaneously (less flailing, more fun). In her free time, she sews, bakes, and devours books like they’re hot gluten-free chocolate chip cookies.
 
 

Everybody Eats: A Movement - Season 1 Episode 3- with Maggie Kane from A Place at the Table

In this episode Renee welcomes Maggie Kane, founder of "A Place at the Table" in Raleigh, NC, for a candid conversation about the joys and challenges of running a community cafe. Maggie shares her journey from nonprofit work to managing a pay-what-you-can restaurant, reflecting on the unexpected complexities of combining food service with a mission to serve everyone with dignity. Together, they discuss the daily moments that make the work worthwhile, from hugs and laughter to seeing families enjoy a meal they might not otherwise have.
The episode also explores deeper issues facing community cafes, including the struggle for fair nonprofit compensation, the importance of equity and including diverse voices in leadership, and the tension between staying true to their mission and navigating political realities. Maggie and Renee offer honest insights into self-care and resilience, highlighting why this movement matters now more than ever.
 
Maggie Kane
Maggie is the Founder and Executive Director of A Place at the Table, Raleigh’s first pay-what-you-can nonprofit cafe. She graduated from NC State University in 2013 and began working for a nonprofit with people experiencing homelessness. By befriending many people living on the margins, she saw the challenges of food insecurity as well as providing dignity to those in need. In February 2015, A Place at the Table was born and Maggie never looked back. Opening in January of 2018, Table has served thousands of people in Raleigh with a dignified and an affordable meal, together. Maggie has a heart to serve, a desire to always be inclusive, and a passion for loving people.
She lives in Raleigh, loves to jump rope, and eats a large amount of peanut butter. She loves hiking in the mountains, and all things sunflowers. You’ll find her watching movies at the theaters in those big comfy chairs, skydiving, or breaking away for a quick 2-day weekend trip.