Free Food & Drinks: Mission Possible Café

Mission Possible Café, a Southwestern-American restaurant and social enterprise owned and operated by Phoenix Rescue Mission, is celebrating “Action Hunger Month” in September. Between now and October 9, diners who bring in a non-perishable food item during their visit to the downtown-area restaurant will receive a free drink.

The month-long promotion coincides with Mission Possible Café’s 1-year anniversary and will culminate in a “Lunch is on Us” community appreciation event on Tuesday, Oct. 9, with free hot dogs from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

“We want to show our appreciation for our local community, which has been integral in the success of the restaurant and a major reason why we have been able to touch and change so many lives,” said Phoenix Rescue Mission Senior Director of Social Enterprises and Vocational Development Tom Moody. “Every dollar Mission Possible Café earns directly supports the men, women and children in our community who are struggling with homelessness, addiction and trauma.”

Millions of people across the country will be participating in Action Hunger Month, which aims to spread awareness of the hunger crisis in America, while encouraging the nation to work toward a solution in ending the epidemic. Locally, Arizona is among the worst states in the nation for hunger and homelessness, with more than 25,800 people in Maricopa County who have no place to call home.

“Just about everyone who can afford it, eats three meals a day. We are encouraging people to have just one of those meals at Mission Possible Café this month. The cost of your meal will go directly to a good cause for Action Hunger Month and, if you bring in a non-perishable food item, you’ll get a free ice-cold drink,” said Moody. “Of course, we also encourage everyone to drop by on October 9 for our community appreciation event and enjoy lunch on us.”

Located at the former Oaxaca Restaurant space at 1516 W. Van Buren St., Mission Possible Café is an extension of the Mission’s other social enterprise initiatives, including Mission Cookies (gourmet cookie delivery service) and Mission Catering.

Since opening its doors in September of 2017, Mission Possible Café has been a valuable part of Phoenix Rescue Mission’s vocational development services. Sales from the café help to support some of the overhead costs for the nonprofit’s vocational development programs, which are part of a holistic approach to rehabilitation that helps men and women get back on their feet through service. Further, Mission Possible Café provides real-world, on-the-job training for the dozens of employees who are currently receiving treatment at Phoenix Rescue Mission. Many people who enter Phoenix Rescue Mission have little to no job experience but leave fully prepared to take on managerial positions in the culinary field. Several former Phoenix Rescue Mission residents have gone on to acquire general manager positions at some of the Valley’s top restaurants.

“Clients will learn food service operations, development leadership skills, and be prepared for successful placement in management level positions in the food service industry. We hope the community will join us for a great meal and help transform lives in the process,” said Phoenix Rescue Mission CEO Jay Cory.

For more information on Mission Possible Café and Phoenix Rescue Mission, please visit www.PhoenixRescueMission.org.

Phoenix Rescue Mission provides Christ-centered, life-transforming solutions to persons facing hunger and homelessness. The nonprofit Mission, which has been operating since 1952, is asking the public for support of its many programs designed to save lives, including Hope for Hunger Food Bank, Hope Coach Street Outreach, Temporary Shelter Programs, Men’s Addiction Recovery Program and the Changing Lives Center for Women and Children.

For more information, call (602) 233-3000 or visit www.phoenixrescuemission.org.