(01/24/13) - "The Serene Bean" in Owosso opened about a year and a half ago as something between a food kitchen, a restaurant, and a coffee shop.
"We started with one dollar in the till for change, one plate of cookies, and a couple pots of coffee and that is all," says owner Tom Manke. "And one volunteer."
The restaurant features a "donations only" menu - pay what you can, and the staff is completely volunteer. They don't even make a work schedule. Many of the volunteers are teenagers who started as customers.
"My mom brought me in here," says Jeff Lawless. "I talked to (Tom Manke), and the next day I just kept coming in."
The recent cold spell across Michigan had volunteers thinking they needed to do more, so they decided to change their hours so that they remain open through the cold nights.
"Shiawassee County doesn't have a homeless shelter, so there's a lot of people on the streets," says volunteer Steve Pratt. "We wanted to give people some place to go where they could warm up and grab some food, good food too."
The food is, indeed, not what you'd expect as a "donation only" restaurant. The menu features fresh, homemade food. From monstrous reubens and burgers, to homemade chili and smoothies.
Right now, "The Serene Bean" is open until 8 a.m. Monday-Friday, and Saturday night as well.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:30 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:30:03 GMT
(05-19-2013) - Three women in Isabella County had quite the scare Saturday morning when a man broke into their home. It happened in Gilmore Township. The Sheriff says the woman, her teenage daughter,
(05/19/13) - Three women in Isabella County had quite the scare Saturday morning when a man broke into their home.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:03 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:03:06 GMT
(05/18/2013) The financial hurricane that battered Buena Vista schools is over, at least for now. On Monday, students go back to class to complete the school year. But, there is another problem on the
(05/18/2013) The financial hurricane that battered Buena Vista schools is over, at least for now. On Monday, students go back to class to complete the school year. But, there is another problem on the
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:51 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:51:03 GMT
(05/18/2013) - A traffic headache for some drivers is over.The Michigan State Bomb Squad has given the all clear after a suspicious package is found.Police were called to the Speedway gas station on Bristol
(05/18/2013) - A traffic headache for some drivers is over.The Michigan State Bomb Squad has given the all clear after a suspicious package is found.Police were called to the Speedway gas station on Bristol
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:46 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:46:19 GMT
(05/18/2013) - If you were in Downtown Flint today, you may have been thinking - what the heck is going on.It was the first ever Ingenuity Fair in downtown Flint.It brings together technology with art.The
(05/18/2013) - If you were in Downtown Flint today, you may have been thinking - what the heck is going on.It was the first ever Ingenuity Fair in downtown Flint.It brings together technology with art.The
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:42:30 GMT
(05/18/2013) - Black Ties, Sparkly gowns, and Tennis Shoes?A weird combination, but it worked on Saturday for a good cause.Guests walked down the red carpet at Grand Blanc Motorcars in their tux and gowns
(05/18/2013) - Black Ties, Sparkly gowns, and Tennis Shoes?A weird combination, but it worked on Saturday for a good cause.Guests walked down the red carpet at Grand Blanc Motorcars in their tux and gowns
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:15 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:15:16 GMT
(05/18/2013)- It was not your ordinary a 5-K race on Saturday.It's a race to honor Army Private First Class Shane Cantu.He died last August in Afghanistan.The money raised will go to a scholarship in his
(05/18/2013)- It was not your ordinary a 5-K race on Saturday.It's a race to honor Army Private First Class Shane Cantu.He died last August in Afghanistan.The money raised will go to a scholarship in his
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:59 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:59:31 GMT
05/18/2013) - A deadly accident has taken the life of a teen this weekend.The accident happened on E. Weidman road. ,That's just east of N. Lincoln road in Isabella Township.Police say 18
05/18/2013) - A deadly accident has taken the life of a teen this weekend.The accident happened on E. Weidman road. ,That's just east of N. Lincoln road in Isabella Township.Police say 18
