Hours:
Tuesday - Thursday
7-11 pm

Location:
Faunce Basement
75 Waterman St.
Providence, RI

Last updated:
03 February 2009
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1. Summary
2. Introduction
3. Statement of Need
4. Objectives
5. Methods
6. Future Funding
7. Budget

Summary

The Oxfam America branch at Brown University seeks to open a non-profit volunteer-run café. The café will donate all of its profits to Oxfam America for world wide hunger-fighting projects. The café will be located in the Brown student center (The Bear's Lair) and will serve coffee and light refreshments.

Introduction

The Oxfam mission is to create lasting solutions to hunger, poverty, and social injustice through long-term partnerships with poor communities around the world. As a branch of the national organization, Oxfam at Brown seeks to support this mission. The main method of Oxfam branches is traditionally fundraising. Oxfam at Brown holds several fundraising events and donates an average yearly total of $3000. The Hourglass café was inspired by the Oxfam café opened at Tufts University 15 years ago. The café at Tufts has become the main source of donated funds from Oxfam at Tufts. Oxfam at Brown hopes to use the profits generated from the café, in addition to other fundraising proceeds, to increase the branch's yearly donation to Oxfam America.

Statement of Need

In order to open the Hourglass Café at Brown, Oxfam needs funds to invest in equipment such as a refrigerator and a coffee machine. The café also requires an initial start-up fund for food, general supplies and for repairs to the café location.

Objectives

Oxfam at Brown has four main objectives for the Hourglass Café. First Oxfam at Brown desires to raise money for Oxfam America's Third World partners to fight the root causes of hunger and poverty. Second, we seek to raise awareness about Third World issues relating to hunger and offer possible solutions such as the promotion of fair-trade coffee. Third, we hope to foster community among student activists and social justice groups on campus. Fourth, we want to create a lasting, vibrant, and welcoming space that appeals to a wide audience within the Brown community.

Methods

The Hourglass café will be staffed by student volunteers in two-hour shifts. Members of Oxfam at Brown and student volunteers will also serve as the café managers. The café will provide a unique menu, catering especially to students preferring organic and vegetarian food. The café will attempt to be available to student groups for meetings and events. Additionally, the café will also serve as a performance space for occasional concerts. Most importantly, all of the profits generated by the café (excluding operating costs) will be donated to Oxfam America.

Future Funding

The necessary funds are one-time investments. Once the café opens we will be self-sustaining. We plan to keep $500 - $1000 every semester for emergency funds. This should cover any unanticipated expenses.

Budget