Celebrating 20 Years of Community and Connection at POPY’s Cafe

For 20 years, POPY’s Cafe has been bringing people together over a shared meal, creating a welcoming space where neighbors can access nutritious food, connect with one another, and build community.

The story of POPY’s Cafe began in 2006 when dedicated volunteer and chef Londa Jacques received funding to provide meals for students participating in a Washington state standardized testing program at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Shoreline. What started as a way to support students quickly grew into something much bigger.

As Londa got to know the surrounding community, she recognized that many neighbors were facing food insecurity and could benefit from a reliable meal. She expanded the program beyond the testing participants, welcoming anyone who needed a meal. That simple act of care laid the foundation for what would become POPY’s Cafe—short for Prince of Peace and YMCA.

A few years later, staff from the Dale Turner Family YMCA connected with Londa and offered support and funding to help sustain and grow the program. Through two decades of partnership, POPY’s Cafe has evolved to meet changing community needs while remaining rooted in its mission of providing food, connection, and care. Together, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and the Dale Turner Family YMCA have navigated challenges, adapted the program, and continued serving neighbors year after year.

Today, POPY’s Cafe operates as a weekly grab-and-go meal program that is open to everyone in the community. Each Wednesday evening, guests can stop by for a meal for themselves, their families, and even their neighbors. It is common to see community members pick up several meals at a time to deliver to friends and neighbors who are homebound or unable to attend in person.

While the program's format has changed over the years, one thing has remained the same: the sense of community it creates. Many guests stay to visit with longtime volunteers and fellow neighbors, turning a simple meal pickup into an opportunity for connection and conversation.

That spirit was on full display during POPY’s Cafe's 20th anniversary celebration on May 27. Guests, volunteers, YMCA staff, and board members gathered to enjoy hot dogs, pasta salad, and cake while celebrating two decades of impact. One guest, a local student, shared how much the program means to her.

"As a student, there are times when finding the money or time to prepare a meal can be difficult," she said. "POPY’s gives me one less meal a week to worry about, and I enjoy getting to talk with my neighbors."

Under Londa's leadership and with the support of a dedicated team of volunteers, POPY’s Cafe now serves more than 110 meals each week. We are grateful for the volunteers, staff, board members, community partners, and donors whose commitment helps keep this important program thriving.

POPY’s Cafe operates every Wednesday from 5:00–6:00 pm at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Shoreline and is open to all members of the community. To learn more about the POPYs Café and other food access programs offered by the YMCA of Greater Seattle, visit our Food Access website or contact foodaccess@seattleymca.org.