Last updated on Nov. 25, 2025 at 10:15 p.m.
On a chilly Monday evening in Champaign, the aroma of roasted vegetables and pork loin drifts through the basement of the Community United Church of Christ. Volunteers hustle between tables as hungry guests trickle in for food. There are no price tags or transactions — only the warmth of having a freshly cooked meal.
Jubilee Cafe, founded in October 2017 by Johnell Bentz, professor in Education, was created to address the growing issue of food insecurity in Champaign. Bentz envisioned a welcoming, stigma-free environment where students and community members could sit down and enjoy a hot, nutritious meal on Monday nights from 5-6:30 p.m.
Unlike traditional free meal programs, Jubilee operates as a restaurant-style cafe, where volunteers act as servers, taking orders from each table. More than just food, Jubilee offers dignity, community and a sense of belonging.
Anna Barnes, the kitchen manager at Jubilee, emphasized that the cafe is more than filling plates.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
“It’s not just like, hey, let’s put some food on a plate,” Barnes said. “I try to plan the menu so we can make the best use of everything we have.”
Jubilee’s welcoming spirit is felt not only by the guests but also by the volunteers who show up week after week. Travis Huynh, senior in LAS, has been volunteering at Jubilee for two years. He first discovered the cafe through a community service requirement for one of his classes and quickly found himself drawn into the atmosphere.
“I saw that there was Jubilee Cafe, and I saw that there was a chance to cook and serve food,” Huynh said. “I was drawn to that because I like to cook and bake, and it seemed like a good opportunity.”
Faizi Tofighi, a volunteer and senior in Engineering, described how the kitchen feels less like a church basement and more like a professional restaurant. He initially expected a program heavy on preaching, but instead found a practical and respectful environment.
“You kind of forget you’re in a church at all,” Tofighi said. “You’re just making food for a bunch of people.”
The bonds formed at Jubilee often extend beyond the work itself. Huynh recalled his 21st birthday this year, which happened to fall on a service night.
“I don’t usually celebrate my birthday, but I let it be known,” Huynh said. “My friends there then let the pastor know and let some of the adults know. The pastor called me out during the service, and the whole room wished me a happy birthday. That sense of community is something I’ll never forget.”
Even during stressful rush periods, the team leans on each other. The chance to get to know and build relationships with the other volunteers creates a warm and welcoming environment. Huynh explained that coming back week after week means you start recognizing faces, sharing stories and building friendships.
“You kind of really get to know each other and have that sense of community among the volunteers,” Huynh said.
Beyond the fresh and nutritious meals, Jubilee’s restaurant-style operation sets it apart from other free meal programs. Guests being served by volunteers fosters personal connection, unlike cafeteria-style places where guests line up for food.
Regulars often return to the same servers, building relationships that last beyond the meals. Barnes has even seen guests transition from receiving meals to volunteering in the kitchen themselves. For Tofighi, the cafe is not just a place to eat but a place to belong.
“They do the whole kind of restaurant style so that people don’t feel like it’s a soup kitchen,” Tofighi said. “It feels like an actual restaurant and very dignified. Instead of waiting in a line outside in the cold, you’re welcomed inside.”
As the evening winds down, guests leave with not only full stomachs but a sense of connection. Jubilee Cafe matters because it shows that food is more than just something to eat. It’s a way to bring people together.
“It feels more personal when you can have someone wait for you, serve you, talk to you while you’re waiting for your food,” Huynh said.
