Snow was knocking on the doorstep of Essentials Café on a cold January morning, but it was warm inside the Bethlehem eatery, where guests were happy to dish … sharing conversation while enjoying a nourishing breakfast, all served with a cup of kindness at this pay-what-you-can community café, where everybody eats regardless of their ability to pay.

The café at 418 Third Ave. is a welcoming spot, because good food and building community are, well, essential.

“It’s becoming a tradition,” local artist Jeanne Mater said Jan. 6 as the yoga class that meets at neighboring West Side Moravian Church gathered as usual after class for Saturday morning breakfast at the community table.

“I like the vibe here – it feels like a neighborhood hangout, thanks to this lady,” Mater said, referring to the Rev. Tammie Rinker, pastor of West Side Moravian, who quickly pointed out that many people make the café what it is.

Pastor Rinker said at that point the café had been open to the public for six weeks after a soft opening in early November.

“We’ve had a very good response,” Pastor Rinker said, voicing her hope that more people will check out the café. “We have a French toast bake people love!”

The café had served 762 meals in the six weeks since it opened in late November. Breakfast and lunch are dished out from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The café welcomes everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. The meal is free, and those who are able to pay may consider covering the cost for those who can’t – a pay-it-forward type of thing.

The house that was transformed into the eatery had been the parsonage of West Side Moravian for 150 years; Pastor Rinker’s family moved from the house because they believed it would be a great space for the café.

The plan was for the café to open in early summer, but team member Dawn Fenner said the opening was delayed due to an issue with construction for ADA compliance and approval of building inspections for occupancy. Once they received the green light, the doors opened.

“The café is not a ministry of West Side Moravian,” Fenner said. “We rent the property from the church so they are an important part of the café, but we are our own 501c3 nonprofit.

“While the Moravian Church wholeheartedly supports us and has provided some grant money and various in-kind gifts and volunteerism, we have worked hard to make sure that this is a café for all, inviting people from all walks of life to come alongside us,” Fenner said.

“We have numerous volunteers from the neighborhood, with various backgrounds with one thing in common – that want to help serve, help feed people and build a stronger community,” Fenner said.

Pastor Rinker voiced gratitude that many individuals and groups have been very generous in supporting the café.

As the café grows, so do its gardens.

“We have a garden at the café and another larger one behind the Widow’s House on Church Street,” Pastor Rinker said.

“We do use vegetables and herbs that we grow in our two garden locations,” Fenner said. “All our dressings and soups are homemade, and we try as much as possible to incorporate the herbs and vegetables we froze into the food we serve.”

The work of local artist Jon Asheson of Phillipsburg, N.J., is displayed in the café, lending a colorful flavor to the walls.

“We’re fortunate to have his work here,” Pastor Rinker said.

Mater and fellow yoga classmates thoroughly enjoyed themselves, engaging in friendly banter as they noshed.

“I’m loving the energy – there’s a magic to the place,” Mater said.

“Having spaces to come together in community is so important,” said Jen Rehill, instructor of the yoga class that meets at West Side Moravian’s facilities.

Rehill, who works for PBS-39, said the yoga class is donation-based, similar to the pay-what-you-can model of the café. She said she’s inspired by what Pastor Rinker and everyone have done with the café.

“I’m grateful to be a little part of it.”

Alesia Dietrich is also a fan of the café.

“I love this place. It’s warm, loving and comfortable. The first time I was here there was this lovely wafting smell,” Dietrich said, with Pastor Rinker noting it was probably bacon.

Dietrich is a Lehigh Valley Ambassador who gives tours of the Lehigh Valley, helping people learn about the region and what it has to offer.

“The café is the central meeting point of the tours,” Dietrich said. “There are so many out there who are not aware of all that’s going on in the Lehigh Valley.”

With a background in marketing, Dietrich promotes Essentials Café and the yoga class on the Facebook page of Lehigh Valley Ladies, which is 1,500 members strong.

The morning marked Bernadette Gaumer’s first visit to the café after yoga.

“I like the relaxed atmosphere,” Gaumer said. “It’s a nice place to hang out and meet new people.”

“I just come for the coffee,” Ostomy Matthew said with a grin.

The staff is also happy to be there, including server Megan Curtis and cashier Jonah Rampulla.

“I just love helping people,” Rampulla said of his volunteering.

John Casey, the café’s cook, said, “It’s a good place with good people. The volunteers are excellent. They take time out of their life to come, and stay later than they have to.”

“It’s a good cause and a good way to meet people and do something for the community,” said volunteer Gail Brittenburg, who was helping Casey with some kitchen cleanup. “Now that I’m older, it’s time to give back.”

The café is a member of the national nonprofit One World Everybody Eats, through which these cafés create spaces where people are nourished in body and soul. People come together, eat in dignity, and form strong bonds that foster an interconnected community.

Contributions can be made to Essentials Café by mailing a check to Essentials Café, 418 Third Ave. For more information or to volunteer email essentialscafe418@gmail.com. To keep up with what’s happening at the cafe visit websiteessentialscafe.org/ or facebook.com/EssentialsCafe418/.