It’s been said that eating good food in good company is a true blessing. That blessing is served in abundance at Essentials Café, a pay-what-you-can community café nestled in a West Bethlehem neighborhood at 418 Third Ave.

The eatery has perfected a recipe for blending delicious and hearty breakfast and lunch fare with a real sense of community, as patrons break bread and chat, often with new friends they meet at the table.

To help keep those blessings flowing, Essentials Café is holding a Fancy Dinner Spring Fundraiser May 18 with two seatings, at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. All proceeds benefit the café’s work of welcoming and feeding everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

A meal at the café 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.

Though the café has previously sold Moravian Sugar Cakes as a fundraiser, the “fancy fundraiser” will be the first sit-down meal offered to raise funds.

“The number of free and reduced cost meals has skyrocketed in the last month,” the Rev. Tammie Rinker, president of the board of Essentials Café and pastor of neighboring West Side Moravian Church, said. “We really need fundraisers like this so we can live out our mission of One World Everybody Eats.”

“We love having folks come in – all our neighbors – whether they can pay or not.”

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.

“The Spring Fundraiser is a fancy dinner with tablecloths, candles, flowers, cloth napkins and wine,” Pastor Rinker said. “We looked at our resources of what we have and what we can do. It’s a beautiful setting, and the café board will serve as wait servers.”

Robert Dalessandro, a chef who lives nearby and who is a café supporter, will be chef for the evening repast.

“We’re getting a good response,” Pastor Rinker said. “People are excited. They like the idea of having a nice meal and supporting the café.”

Pastor Rinker said the price was set to “raise funds for the café and also be affordable – like a date night.”

The menu for the festive event kicks off with fig and pear puff pastry and shrimp cocktail as appetizers, followed by green salad with edible flowers and Essentials Vinaigrette. There are a trio of entrée choices: Prime rib au jus served with green beans almandine and potato strudel; Chicken Piccata with green beans almandine and herbed rice pilaf; and Vegan Ravioli and green beans almandine.

Beverage offerings include coffee, tea and a complimentary glass of red or white wine. There will also be freshly baked bread from a local baker. A dessert station tops off the meal with a selection of in-house made delicious desserts.

“We’re so grateful for all the great support the café has received. We’re happy to give a nice meal,” Pastor Rinker said.

Tickets must be purchased in person in advance at the café via cash or credit card, at which time menu choices may be selected. The deadline for purchasing tickets is May 15.

Essentials Café opened its doors in late November 2023, and dishes out breakfast and lunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Parking is available next door at West Side Moravian Church. Though the Moravian Church is supportive of the café, it is not a ministry of the Moravian Church.

Contributions can be made to Essentials Café by mailing a check to Essentials Café, 418 Third Ave., Bethlehem, PA 18018. For more information or to volunteer, email essentialscafe418@gmail.com. To keep up with what’s happening at the cafe visit the Essentials Café website essentialscafe.org/ and Facebook page facebook.com/EssentialsCafe418/.