Frequently Asked Questions

When did the Cafe open?
The South End Children's Cafe has been open since November 2, 2015. Children and Families interested in dining at the Cafe can contact Tracie at 518.275.8890 or email tracie@southendchildrenscafe.com 

Where is the South End Children's Cafe located?
The South End Children's Cafe is located at 25 Warren Street, Albany, NY 12202. Parking is available in the lot across the street. If you need assistance with parking, or have questions regarding transportation or parking, please contact Shaletha Peppers at 518.816.3099.

What happens each day? 
The South End Children's Cafe is open Monday - Friday, for dinner. Children drop in and join us from a variety of schools throughout the city of Albany. When the children arrive, they may get homework by student volunteers, as well as teachers and other school personnel who volunteer at the Cafe. After homework is finished, the children may participate in enrichment classes like dance, theater and science, create art or help with cooking and preparing the dining room for dinner. At 5:00pm the children in the program are often joined by family members for dinner.

What does the Cafe look like?
The South End Children's Cafe looks like a small cafe, allowing children and families to enjoy dinner in a welcoming and inviting setting. The children participate in preparing the meals, waiting on tables, set up and clean up. Community is on our Menu! 

Why the South End Children's Cafe?
Food is getting more and more expensive as you know. Hunger and Food Insecurity are impacting children and families everywhere. For some children and families, the meals served at school (breakfast and lunch) are the only meals that can be counted on. What happens during dinnertime, weekends and when schools are out for breaks? These are often times when programs close down. We are open up and serve healthy dinner time meals Monday to Friday,while building community and making new friends. 

Are you in need of donations? 

Absolutely! We are in need of food items and gift cards for produce and meats. if you are interested in hosting a foods drive, collecting food items or donating, please contact Shaletha at 518.816.3099. Thank you!

What can I do to help?
YOU are such an important ingredient. Like and share our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram to get the word out, visit our website often for updates, consider hosting a fundraiser or donate to the Cafe or sign up as a volunteer. 

Are donations to the South End Children's Cafe tax exempt? 

Yes, with gratitude to Streams of Dreams, our fiscal sponsor. Streams of Dreams sponsors projects that tackle challenges in the face of communities throughout world, and support the social entrepreneurs who create solutions to change society for the better, spread the solution, and persuade people to move in a different direction. Their mission is to seed symbiotic relationships with social entrepreneurs who facilitate charitable programs that benefit the public good and make a better life for people in communities at a local, national, or even international level. Their vision is to create and sustain social value through the deliverance of charitable programs intended to accelerate public interest ideas into effective social action. Fiscal sponsorship allows the South End Children's Cafe the opportunity to conduct charitable activities, and receive tax-exempt donations and grants,  and give donors a tax-deductible receipt for their contribution (cash, checks or credit card, matching gifts, membership dues and stock gifts), and tangible items (non-cash donations of equipment and materials). Learn more about Streams of Dreams today!