People ask me the same few questions at nearly every night we do. Fair enough. "Buy 1 Give 1" sounds simple, and it is, but it's worth knowing exactly what it means before you hand over your money.
So here are the questions I actually get asked, with straight answers. No brand-kit polish.
I'm Jerelle, Jefe to most people. I run Jefes Ramen, a community interest company from Stockport. We cook big bowls of ramen in pubs and venues.
What is Buy 1 Give 1?
Short answer, one sentence: every bowl of ramen sold funds a matching meal for someone experiencing homelessness.
You buy a bowl. You eat it. That purchase funds a matching meal. One for you, one given.
You might have seen buy one give one on things like shoes or glasses. Same basic idea, except ours is dinner. If you've been searching for a buy one give one meal UK option, that's what this is: a proper night out where the giving is built into what you buy, not bolted on afterwards.
It isn't a percentage of profits if the month goes well. It isn't a vague "we give back". It's tied to the bowl.
Where does the matching meal go?
This is the question I care most about getting right.
In Manchester, matching meals go through the Booth Centre. They're our partner for that side of the work, and when I say Booth Centre I mean it.
Our Salford night at Leo + Roobs on Friday 4 December is supporting the Booth Centre too, as it says on the Eventbrite page.
For the other cities on this run (Bristol, Southampton, Birmingham, and our next Stockport night) I'm not naming a charity partner yet, because I haven't got one confirmed for those nights. I won't paste a name onto a city just to make a sentence sound finished. When a partner is agreed, it goes on that city's page first.
Why not just donate?
You can, and if you want to, I'd be glad. Our Crowdfunder, 382k Reasons, is open until 27 October: back it here. Check the page for where it's at.
But here's why I do it this way.
I've been on the other side of hunger. I know what it is to need a hot meal and not have one coming. And I know most people want to help but don't wake up thinking "I'll make a donation today". They do wake up thinking about dinner. Buy 1 Give 1 meets people where they already are: hungry, out with mates, in a pub they like.
It's also good for the pubs. A busy night with a reason behind it is worth a lot to a landlord on a Monday or a Tuesday. The pub keeps 100% of the bar. Everyone in the room gets something out of it.
Donating is great. Eating dinner that funds a matching meal is just easier to say yes to, more often.
What we do and don't claim
I'd rather be clear than impressive, so here it is.
What we say:
- Every bowl sold funds a matching meal for someone experiencing homelessness.
- In Manchester, matching meals go through the Booth Centre.
- We're a community interest company based in Stockport.
What we don't say:
- We don't claim results in a city before we've cooked there. Bristol, Southampton and Birmingham are new for us this autumn, and I'm not going to tell you about outcomes there that haven't happened.
- We don't name partners we haven't confirmed.
- We don't dress it up with big impact language. A matching meal funded is the promise. That's what I'll stand behind.
If you ever see us say something that goes further than that, call me on it. Message us on Instagram at @jefe.mcr.
Why a community interest company?
A community interest company, or CIC, is a type of UK company set up to benefit the community rather than just its owners. It's still a business. It still has to pay its way. But the community part isn't optional, it's written into what the company is for.
That suits how I think. I've run businesses before this. I played basketball professionally, I had a barbershop, Jefes Barbers, that I lost because I couldn't keep up with it, and I've got a coffee house on Shaw Heath in Stockport now. I know what it takes to keep the lights on. I didn't want Jefes Ramen to be a charity that lives on asks alone, and I didn't want it to be a business where the giving is the first thing cut when it's tight.
So if you've been looking for community interest company food Stockport, that's us: food first, giving built in, and a company that has to answer for both.
Where can I try it?
These are our confirmed nights:
- Stockport: Swan With Two Necks, 36 Princes Street, Stockport SK1 1RY. Friday 30 October, 6:30pm. Presale closes 23 Oct. Book on Eventbrite or see Ramen in Stockport.
- Bristol: The Punchbowl Ale House & Kitchen, 23 Old Market St, Bristol BS2 0HB. Monday 9 November, 6 to 10pm. Book on Eventbrite or see Ramen in Bristol.
- Southampton: Platform Tavern, Town Quay, Southampton SO14 2NY. Tue 17 Nov, 6–10pm. Book on Eventbrite or see Ramen in Southampton.
- Birmingham: Temper & Brown, 12-13 Albion Street, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham B1 3ED. Thursday 26 November, 6 to 10pm. Book on Eventbrite or see Ramen in Birmingham.
- Salford: Leo + Roobs, Unit 1, Garden Lane, Salford M3 7FJ. Friday 4 December, 6 to 10pm, supporting the Booth Centre. Book on Eventbrite or see Ramen in Salford.
Other ways in:
- Run a pub or venue? Your first two nights are a free trial, then it's £48 a night, and you keep 100% of the bar. Jefes Ramen for pubs.
- Want to help on the night? Join the crew.
- Can't make any of them? 382k Reasons closes 27 October.
That's Buy 1 Give 1. One bowl for you, one matching meal funded. Any other questions, ask me at the next night.
Jerelle, Jefes Ramen