'Where have you been?' The Question That Launched Riverside Airport Cafe's Free Lunch Movement

Sometimes the most profound changes begin with the simplest questions. For Leimamo Taylor, owner of Riverside Airport Cafe, it was asking a family of regulars: "Where have you been?"

The answer would transform not just her business, but an entire community.

When 'Unnecessary Costs' Hit Home

The family's response was heartbreakingly familiar in today's economy. Money had gotten tight. Eating out — even at their beloved local cafe — had become an "unnecessary cost" they could no longer justify. For Taylor, watching a family that once enjoyed meals together at her restaurant disappear due to financial constraints was a wake-up call.

"This made me sad," Taylor recalls, but sadness quickly turned to action. She began thinking about all the other families experiencing the same silent struggle, forced to choose between small joys and necessities. The question became not just about one family, but about community: What could she do to help?

A Solution as Simple as a Lunch Box

Taylor's answer was straightforward: free kids' lunchboxes. Every weekday from 1 to 3 p.m., children under 12 can receive a meal including a hot dog, chips, juice box and a cutie orange — no questions asked, no fine print, no purchase necessary.

But Taylor didn't stop there. Understanding that parents needed relief too, she created a happy hour menu with smaller portions at discounted prices. "Half the price, full bellies," as she puts it — a philosophy that captures both the practical and caring spirit of the program.

The Ripple Effect No One Expected

What started as one owner's response to one family's struggle has blossomed into something far greater. "The outcome of doing this has been amazing!" Taylor says. Families who had retreated into isolation due to financial stress are returning.

The cafe has become more than a restaurant — it's become a gathering place where financial stress doesn't dictate whether families can enjoy time together. "We are seeing happy kids playing, watching planes, interacting with other kids," Taylor says. "They're able to just get out of the house!"

When Kindness Multiplies

Perhaps the most unexpected outcome has been how Taylor's generosity inspired others. When US Foods, her food supplier, learned about the free lunch program, they immediately wanted to help, offering to supply boxes of hot dogs and buns. "Blessings on top of blessings!" Taylor says.

This cascading effect demonstrates a fundamental truth about community care: generosity is contagious. One business owner's decision to help struggling families inspired a major food supplier to contribute, creating a sustainable model that benefits everyone involved.

More Than a Meal

Located at 6951 Flight Road, with its view of planes coming and going, Riverside Airport Cafe has become a symbol of what stays constant in a community — neighbors caring for neighbors. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., the restaurant serves typical cafe fare most of the day. But during those special afternoon hours, it serves something more precious: hope, dignity and belonging. It was also recently recognized as the first Riverside restaurant to join the Blue Zone health initiative, reinforcing its role as a community leader in both care and well-being.

Taylor says that "giving not only feels so good but it also comes back in other unexpected ways." This speaks to a business philosophy that measures success not just in profit margins but in community impact. She's discovered what many business owners forget: investing in your community is investing in your business's future.

A Model for Modern Business

In an era when businesses often feel pressured to maximize every dollar, Riverside Airport Cafe offers a different approach. Taylor hasn't just found a way to help families; she's demonstrated that compassion and commerce can coexist, that addressing community needs can actually strengthen a business.

Her story challenges other business owners to look beyond their books and into their communities. What struggles are customers facing? What small changes could make a big difference? Sometimes, as Taylor learned, all it takes is asking the right question — and having the courage to act on the answer.

For families in Riverside, the free lunch boxes represent more than a meal. They're a reminder that they're seen, valued and welcomed — financial struggles and all. And for Leimamo Taylor, they're proof that one person's decision to help can create waves of positive change that extend far beyond what anyone imagined.

As she puts it, witnessing the joy of families returning to her cafe, children playing together and unexpected support from suppliers has shown her the true rewards of giving. In a world that often feels divided by economic barriers, Riverside Airport Cafe stands as proof that a hot dog, a juice box and a generous heart can bridge any gap.

More information: Riverside Airport Café is located at 6951 Flight Road and is open daily from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.