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Best bargain breakfast in town at Agape Table

By: Carol Sanders

Posted: 04/3/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Enlarge Image

You get what you pay for, and the less fortunate people at Agape Table willing to fork over a buck for breakfast are getting a better meal.

Instead of just a free bowl of soup made from donated produce and leftovers, they get fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs and a side order of dignity.

"That's the main meal of the day," said Arnold Badger, 49, as he tucked into his breakfast of eggs, garlic sausage, fresh strawberries, mashed potatoes with the skin on and sliced tomatoes and oranges.

"You're not going to find a more wholesome breakfast anywhere else for a buck," said the budding entrepreneur, who is battling kidney disease while he develops his business recruiting workers from the West Broadway area.

Badger, who said he's overcome a battle with addiction, sees the benefit of having to budget and set goals.

"I think it's important that people plan for the next day."

Saving one dollar for your next meal isn't too much to ask, he said.

"A lot of people who don't give any money take it for granted."

Let them eat soup, Badger said.

"The soup is always free," said Mark Courtney, general manager of Agape Table which serves 1,000 breakfasts a month.

"This will fill you up, but it's not very nutritious," Courtney said, holding a bowl of vegetable soup made from donations.

Agape Table began as a soup kitchen in 1989 at All Saints Church in the West Broadway neighbourhood. It's run by dozens of volunteers, four part-timers and just one full-time staff person, Court--ney.

Earlier this year, Agape Table decided to move away from emergency food handouts to a more sustainable operation, said Courtney.

Now, it "empowers" people, by giving them a choice -- a bowl of soup for nothing or a one-dollar, two-egg breakfast that actually costs $2 to prepare.

An hour after opening Wednesday morning, 90 people passed through the doors of Agape and 60 opted for the $1 daily egg special.

"Many of our folks have opted for this," said Courtney.

Agape Table sells punch cards that offer 11 breakfasts for $10.

When people receive their assistance or pension cheques, they can buy a card and know they have a good breakfast to look forward to for the next 11 days, Courtney said.

"It's our responsibility to create ways to empower people and bring them out of crisis."

For Agape, which had been struggling financially, it's been a challenge, he said. It costs more to deal with fresh food that's purchased, not donated. And expectations of quality are raised by clients who are now paying, even if it's just a portion of the actual cost. It's worth it, though, said Courtney. He sees the value in it for customers and tells them so: "If you eat this, your health will be far better."

For information see www.agapetable.ca or call 783-6369

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 3, 2010 B2

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