Helpings Cafe, Market and Catering

Delicious food, hefty portions, friendly staff, Starbucks coffee, and giving back. I would definitely recommend helping yourself to a Helpings lunch!
My lunch was so fresh and yummy plus I had to take half of it home. My food and coffee were prepared by workers in the food prep and barista program who are gaining employment skills. It’s a nonprofit so all proceeds go to the homeless shelter connected to the restaurant.
All around great experience for me and my tummy!

This place is amazing — the food they prepare is delicious! They have a daily special for $ 5.99 — it is never the same special and I have had everything from sliders, sweet & sour chicken, gyro sandwich w/​home made chips AND includes a drink. The turkey sandwich on the menu is the best thing ever. I have never ordered something from here that I did not like!
They are right down the street from where I work & I often call in an order to pick up — makes it super fast w/​a 30 min lunch.
The philosphy behind the café itself is wonderful — they give back to the local community that is in need — women &children/​families. Spend your $$ where you can make it count!

Great food, friendly staff, very reasonable prices and helping a cause. One of my best finds!!!

This place is wonderful, food is excellent and always striving to be better quality healthy food. Part of costs goes to good cause and this place has a friendly manager who cares about her staff. They will soon be rolling out an awesome breakfast menu opening at 7am looking forward to that.

It is food with a purpose of helping people and doing good.
I really like that concept and I like their chicken salad sandwich.
Everyone was very nice, friendly, and helpful as I sometime get disorientated in places like this if its not fully out in front of me. The walked my through the menu and my options until I had exactly what I needed.
Stop in, eat lunch, and help a cause all at the same time!

I love this place. The muffin I had was great and the barista was friendly. The community feel is awesome– it seemed like everyone knew everyone else.

Great little café supporting UMOM!!!

Best place for breakfast and lunch in the downtown PHX area for sure!!! Besides the great service from the awesome crew here led by the one and only Gina; here’s why I love this place:
1. They give back! This social enterprise was designed to give back to the UMOM Community and feed it’s lifesaving programs… which is one reason I love spending money here!
2. Phenomenal Muffins! (and they don’t charge you $ 7 for one ((Cough Cough Sprinkles)) Plus they don’t leave you feeling guilty, they are actually on the healthy’er side… if that makes sense.
3. They have stellar Daily Specials for $ 4.99! Comes with an entrée, side, & a drink. You cannot beat this deal. Plus the awesome chef Reyna in the back makes some delicious specials always switching it up keeping it interesting.
4. They have a partnership with Starbucks where they work with non-​profits! So they teach individuals job skills to develop and find a job!
5.I’m The Duke baby! Proof I love this place so I put my stamp on it.
So come on in, don’t be afraid to drop some cash for a good cause (buy a meal, grab some Starbucks Coffee, and take a muffin for the ride home) and enjoy your meal!
Lastly here’s what you can find here:
–Sandwiches (Vegetarian options as well)
–Salads
–Starbucks Coffee
–House Made Muffins
–House Made Seasoned Potato Chips
–Green Tea
–Daily Specials
–Catering
–Snacks
–Pretzels & Hummus
–Subs to go
–Energy Bars

Supper Friendly staff!!! I had the club sandwich and it was excellent. It was also huge so I took half home for a second meal.

I try to stop by in the mornings before my commute and each time I have had a pleasant experience
Food and drinks with a cause
The staff is super upbeat and are eager to please
They serve Starbucks coffee
The muffins are delicious
In my last visit, the very nice lady at the counter was helping or training a very young gentleman… The patience and friendliness of her presence was very contagious as I felt happier giving my money to the young man…
It is really nice to see that some people had a clear vision with how to help people… And putting in the time and effort to ensure that their goals are met…
The Helpings Café is unique in giving majority of their proceeds to the homeless community and I will support in any way that I can…

Was running late and couldn’t find a starbucks close to my job. Found this little piece of awesomeness and was able to start my day lol :) it looks like they give to a lot of great charities. I’ll definitely be back if anything for their interaction with the community

I would rather eat here than anything out there for lunch. I have never had a bad meal and it’s giving back to the community. Being on the run all day it’s hard to find a solid place and this is a good place to eat and take a break from the world.

The company I work for just moved to the neighborhood, and we are super excited about this place! The food is fresh, the people are kind and friendly and your purchase helps people in need! They serve Starbucks coffee and some amazing fresh made muffins. My friend and I couldn’t choose just one, so we each got a different muffin and then we split them. Best… idea…ever. The espresso mocha chip was chocolaty and rich, so a half was perfect. The dutch apple crumble was delicious! I could eat one a day for the rest of my life. I can’t wait to go back. :)

Good food with a great mission!
It’s great to see exactly how your dollars are going to support homeless people!
It’s also a «we proudly serve» Starbucks location with a full drink menu. And they have free wifi, with plenty of space, so great for a meeting!

I was at a dental conference at the airport Marriott and I turned to my fellow Unilocalers for a place for lunch. I saw the 5 star rating and didn’t hesitate! Something in the back
head told me I had heard of this place! I got there and remembered where! They serve Starbucks and the proceeds help the homeless! A GREAT sandwich and a good cause! I am all in! I ordered a veggie sandwich, excellent and if there are any muffins left when I am done devouring it …

It’s a rare thing nowadays when you find a place with as a heart as Helpings Café has. They serve awesome food, baked goods and drinks as well as catering and they have a small market inside as well. Located on Van Buren and 33^rd street right next to UMOM, they provide funds to help house and train the homeless and underprivileged and well as school supplies to children that what otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to have. I love the concept, as a man who one day wants to own his own restaurant that would by day be a restaurant and by night be a soup kitchen I really appreciate this wonderful place.
Today I enjoyed a wonderfully delicious Morning Glory muffin and a latte. The muffin was so moist it left no dry spot in my mouth and filled my mouth with so many flavors that I just wanted to keep eating more. Filled with veggies and fruit it’s a muffin I didn’t have to feel too bad about eating either. It was in no way heavy like most muffins, and was truly a «morning glory» to my taste buds.
Price wise they are very affordable, especially compared to most bakeries, local restaurants and coffee shops around the valley.
I will definitely be back soon to enjoy more food, drinks, and baked goods; as well as to share more cooking stories and see if I can help in any way. Do yourself a favor and stop on in and grab a bite and a drink, while supporting a great cause.

Just had a box lunch at an event and it was amazing. Great work helpings café!!! One thing I’ll point out is I had to search for your contact info as the box has no address nor phone number and I would like to use you for my future events. Might think about adding contact info to top of box or maybe on a tab I could pull off.
GREAT FOOD!!!

It’s a great place to sit and chat. Food is fresh and yummy. Not to mention it’s for a good cause!

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE DONE RIGHT
This is a great community space where you can support a nonprofit, eat deliciously tasty food and have plenty of quiet to hold a business meeting or catch up with a friend.
Their location is in the same UMOM building/​parking lot. They serve Starbucks coffee and make amazing pastries.
My next business meeting, when convenient, will be held at Helpings.

Helpings is the ultimate meeting location — great space, energy, food, beverages & cause. Perfect for a student working on homework, friends catching up over coffee or community leaders collaborating at the large beautifully reclaimed table. Choosing to purchase your Starbucks or freshly made artisan sandwich here also casts a vote for the kind of place you want Phoenix to be — a city where we care for our vulnerable, offer them job training, opportunities to build a resume and truly end the cycle of homelessness.
I especially love the grilled chicken salad and the pesto chicken sandwich, and of course the funky monkey muffin as well!