It's okay to ask for help

The Organic Underground Cafe is closing ... or maybe not.

Our Century 21 Office in Belleville, Ontario is located across the street from a remarkable little cafe called the Organic Underground that was founded by Katharine Davis and her community of like-minded friends about three years ago.

Perhaps the best way to describe it is to use part of the notice that Katharine posted on the Organic Underground website a couple of days ago. It sets out her initial vision for the cafe, one that has been achieved with remarkable success -

"Three years ago this June, I opened the Organic Underground in downtown Belleville.

"From inception, I imagined a space that would exemplify the reality that so many of us want to see in the world.

"This was to be a space where people who live in a common geographic area, would come together – often for the first time, and build a community.

"I imagined a child friendly environment where the sound of a baby crying or children playing would be, not only tolerated, but enjoyed.

"I ordered 'breastfeeding friendly' stickers for the windows and bathroom, gay/lesbian rainbow stickers for the front door. I sourced out environmentally friendly containers and paper products for the cafe. I dreamed of Indie art all over the walls, local musicians and developing bands making use of the small stage.

"I wanted to have a cafe where everybody got to eat and we acknowledged a 'pay what/when you can' system for people who struggled to afford food.

"I imagined street people, and lawyers having lunch in the same place eating the same quality food."

Katherine's note goes on to show the remarkable degree to which that vision has become a reality in this small cafe, then, sadly, it states that the financial end of things has not gone as well. She refers to staff members who have been unpaid since last November, but who have "chosen to volunteer their endless passion to ensure the continuation of the Organic Underground" and acknowledges that "Our insistence on feeding anyone and including every member of our community has cost us financially."

You can read the full story here, for now at least, until the front page article for the cafe website is changed.

So, I wonder what that page will say a week from now. Will this be one more attempt to create a vital community that falters on economic grounds, or is it just possible that enough people will notice and help to make it viable again?

I dropped over to see Katharine a few minutes ago to pick up one of the grilled cheese sandwiches for which CBC radio and television personality Jion Gomeshi is quoted as having said, "A finer grilled cheese will not to be had," and Katharine was smiling. Responses are starting to come in from all over the world, and the TV cameras arrive tomorrow.