Transforming Stigmas: Personal Stories Behind Food Insecurity with Maggie Kane of A Place at the Table
In this episode, Matt is joined by Maggie Kane, Executive Director of A Place at the Table, to explore food insecurity, the challenges of starting a nonprofit, and the power of community in addressing societal issues.
Maggie Kane is the Executive Director and founder of A Place at the Table, Raleigh, NC’s pay-what-you-can nonprofit cafe. She believes strongly in the power of unconventional communities and shows everyone she meets that they have a place at the table. Maggie is also a member of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance board, Band Together Advisory Board, and Feed the Pack Food Pantry Advisory Board at NCSU.
Creating Choice and Visibility: The Heart of Dignity in Service
Maggie discovered a powerful truth working with those experiencing homelessness: the importance of choice and visibility. While volunteering at a day shelter, she realized that many charitable services were focused on efficiency, often at the expense of personal connection. A key turning point came when she took her friend John, a man who had been living on the streets, to Golden Corral for a meal. When asked why he chose that restaurant, John’s response was profound: “People treat me as invisible, but I'm seen here, so I have a choice.”
This moment became a cornerstone of Maggie’s philosophy, leading her to envision a space where individuals experiencing homelessness could not only receive assistance but feel empowered and respected. By allowing John the freedom to make a simple decision about where to eat, Maggie learned the impact of giving people the power of choice in their lives—something often stripped away through poverty and homelessness. Furthermore, creating environments where people are seen and acknowledged as human beings, rather than being treated as invisible or marginalized, became a driving force behind her mission. This insight led to A Place at the Table, a "pay-what-you-can" restaurant where customers, regardless of their financial situation, are treated with the dignity they deserve.
Building Community Through Shared Meals: A Pay-What-You-Can Success
The journey to opening Raleigh’s first pay-what-you-can restaurant was as much about listening and community-building as it was about food. Maggie’s vision began when she noticed how traditional soup kitchens, while essential, often missed an opportunity to foster deeper connections between people. Meals were quick, transactional, and didn’t allow time for meaningful interactions. Inspired by her experiences dining with individuals experiencing homelessness, Maggie set out to create a restaurant that didn’t just provide food but also served as a community hub.
A Place at the Table doesn’t operate like a typical feeding ministry or charity—it looks and feels like any other restaurant in downtown Raleigh. People from all walks of life dine together, paying what they can afford. Customers can pay the suggested price, pay more to support someone else’s meal, or pay less if their budget is tight.
The idea of a pay-what-you-can model may sound radical, but Maggie found inspiration from similar establishments nationwide. What makes this concept so impactful is that it’s more than just about food—it’s about bringing people together in a shared space. Maggie and her team built excitement around the mission by hosting "Second Saturday Brunch" pop-up events in different restaurants across Raleigh. These events brought together nonprofit organizations, restaurant staff, and everyday diners to experience the pay-what-you-can model firsthand. What started as an experiment with 50 attendees grew into a bustling community of 450 people, all committed to supporting a space where everyone has a seat at the table.
Letting Go to Grow: The Leadership Lesson of Delegation
In the early years of A Place at the Table, Maggie Kane faced a common struggle for many founders—trying to do everything herself. As the café’s mission took root, she learned that not delegating quickly enough led to burnout, both for herself and her staff. This challenge is one that many leaders face: the impulse to control every aspect of their vision. Yet, the real lesson comes from learning to trust others with the details, allowing the organization to flourish beyond what one person alone can manage.
Maggie’s candid reflection about not hiring soon enough offers a critical insight for leaders: if you want to scale impact, you must delegate. The belief that leaders need to be proficient in everything is both unrealistic and damaging. The shift in mindset from doing everything to building a team that handles diverse aspects allowed A Place at the Table to grow, serve more people, and prevent the burnout that often plagues mission-driven work.
Get the Full Scoop!
Listen to this episode of the Creating Good podcast to learn more from Maggie about creating a community space for individuals experiencing homelessness.