We're sure pretty most everyone knows about the devastating fire that's closed Café Moxo and other businesses located nearby on Adams Street for the time being. Until it reopens, Moxo has deployed its employees all over the city – from cleaning up downtown, making sandwiches for PBJ Springfield (a nonprofit serving hundreds every week) and helping out any number of local charities.
Giving back to the community is nothing new for this business, though. During the pandemic, owner Mark Forinash started serving free meals – via Salvation Army and area churches, deliveries and a drive-through pick-up-and-go system. This all occurred despite having to close his second location at Springfield Clinic and seeing a massive decrease in business at his downtown location. At one point, Café Moxo handed out more than 500 meals in a day to those in need.
"Being downtown, you get to know so many of the population that live on the streets because you spend a lot of time with them," Forinash said. "And as opposed to battling them and complaining and judging, we probably should just bring them into our community in hopes that they get the opportunity to get off the streets."
Café Moxo was community-oriented even before COVID-19, holding events such as Giving Tuesdays where proceeds from the sale of certain items were donated to various charities. In the eyes of the owner, it was about "giving back to the community that's given so much back to us."
Forinash is also well-known for giving back to his own restaurant community, paying his employees above-average wages and maintaining hours of operation that provide a balance between work and life.
So, it's no wonder that Moxo was ranked best for giving back to the community. Oh, and the delicious cookies didn't hurt, either.
