Pay What You Can

How does going into a restaurant and not seeing any prices on the menu and paying what you can afford sound? This unique and new concept has taken off around the country. The popular Panera Breads adapted this model for their own chain. In a statement, Panera Bread co-founder Ron Shaich says "the vision for the Panera Cares Cafe was to use Panera's unique restaurant skills to address real societal needs and make a direct impact on communities" by making its food available to those who otherwise might not be able to afford it.

So you're thinking "nah, people are just going to be greedy and get a free meal." According to The Detroit News, Panera learned from the first cafe which opened in Clayton Missouri that "20 percent of patrons give more than the suggested donation, 60 percent give about the same amount and 20 percent leave less. There are no cash registers; just donation boxes. While some restaurants offer a "pay what you can" model, others offer patrons who cannot afford to pay another way to help. You can wash dishes or clean tables to "pay" for your meal.

Panera's chairman Ronald Shaich says his parents instilled his philanthropic nature. "They taught it was my responsibility to give back to my community, my society and my country." Even in tough economic times that our country is going through, it is inspiring to see new ideas put in place and working successfully that aim to help people.