For years, Cristaudo's Café, Bakery and Catering has proudly partnered with the Southern Illinois Collaborative Kitchen, a pay-what-you-can meal program helping to ensure no one in our community goes hungry.

We’ve provided food, labor, and space to prepare thousands of meals, delaying repayment because of our belief in the importance of the program and the sheer number of individuals who were able to utilize it.

But now, the Collaborative Kitchen owes Cristaudo’s $30,000—a debt that must be addressed to secure the future of both the program and our café.

Why Now?

The Collaborative Kitchen is launching a Meal Bank program in 2025 to make pay-what-you-can meals available at local restaurants across Southern Illinois. This expansion requires a strong foundation, starting with repaying its debt to Cristaudo’s. For over 40 years, Cristaudo’s has been a place where Carbondale gathers, celebrates, and connects. Helping repay this debt ensures the Collaborative Kitchen can grow, and our café and bakery can continue serving the community we love.

Here’s how you can help:

💛 Donate: Every dollar repays this debt and invests in the future of pay-what-you-can meals.

💛 Like and Share: Spread the word to others who care about our community.

💛 Visit Cristaudo’s: Every purchase strengthens the local economy and helps keep Carbondale vibrant.

Together, we can create a stronger, more resilient Southern Illinois where everyone has access to fresh, nourishing meals.

Donate here: https://givebutter.com/cristaudos

Thank you for your support! 💛 Cristaudo's Café, Bakery and Catering