You are invited to become a Taste Bud through our NEW Community Rewards System. This new platform allows us to track and reward increased participation. Rewards include:
‣Priority Access on our waitlist,
‣Merchandise rewards (Coming Soon),
‣Complimentary event tickets (Coming Soon),
‣Access to recipes (Coming Soon),
‣And much more…
Taste Buds are Taste Project’s diners, doers (which includes volunteers and apprentices), and donors. As a Taste Bud, you will earn points every time you volunteer at Taste Community Restaurants, and every time you participate in our partner resources funded in part by Texas Health Resources. In time, you will also earn points every time you dine at Taste Community Restaurants and every time you donate to support the work we do to feed, educate, and serve our community.
As a Taste Bud, you will earn points every time you volunteer at Taste Community Restaurants, and every time you participate in our partner resources funded in part by Texas Health Resources. In time, you will also earn points every time you dine at Taste Community Restaurants and every time you donate to support the work Taste Project is doing to feed, educate, and serve our community.
Volunteers and apprentices are automatically enrolled as apart of our enrollment process. Guests can enroll online here.
EARNING POINTS
80% of our team are volunteers. From Greeters to Line Cooks and everyone in between; together, we can meet the needs of our community with love and dignity while working to end hunger together! Shifts are 3-hours long and include a meal. Shifts are available Tuesdays – Sundays every week and start times vary between 8:00am and 2:00pm. Every time you complete a volunteer shift, points are automatically added to your community rewards account.
Partner resources are funded in part by Texas Health Resources and include financial workshops, nutrition counseling, and healthy living sessions. Appointments are available at Taste Community Restaurant on Mondays when the dining room is closed. Appointments include a box lunch. Every time you complete a partner resource appointment, points are automatically added to your community rewards account.
REDEEMING POINTS
Points can be redeemed for Priority Access at Taste Community Restaurants during our pay-what-you-can meal service. Our Hosts/Hostesses will access your account and redeem your points when you check-in for a table. Be sure to have the email or mobile number used to create your account when you check-in at the Host Stand.
For the last 18 months, Taste Project has partnered with Dr. Lori Borchers at Texas Christian University to better understand the impact of Taste Community Restaurant. Funded in part by Texas Health Resources, Dr. Borchers is preliminarily finding the more someone participates at Taste Community Restaurant, the higher their sense of community[1] which leads to lower stress, improved mental health, and higher rates of resiliency[2].
“The more someone dines, volunteers, and participates with us the more we see transformational change across socio-economic levels,” says Jeff Williams, founder and executive director of Taste Project. “I believe this is because they begin to see themselves the way God sees them, which fuels the individual outcomes we see on a regular basis.”
Armed with this emerging research, Taste Project is launching a new initiative to invite more of our community to become Taste Buds through its NEW Community Rewards System. This new platform allows the organization to track and reward increased participation. Initial rewards include Priority Access on our waitlist; but in time, the organization plans to add merchandise rewards, complimentary event tickets, access to recipes, and much more.
[1] Borchers, Lori. Community Cafes: Improving Health Equity Among Low-Income Adults, presented at the 2024 Association of Community Health Nurse Educators Annual Institute Meeting. June 8, 2024.
[2] Michalski CA, Diemert LM, Helliwell JF, Goel V, Rosella LC. Relationship between sense of community belonging and self-rated health across life stages. SSM Popul Health. 2020 Oct 12;12:100676. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2020.100676. PMID: 33134474; PMCID: PMC7585135.
Q: Who is a Taste Buds?
A: Taste Buds are Taste Project’s diners, doers, and donors. Diners include everyone who joins us at Taste Community Restaurants during our pay-what-you-can meal service. Doers are our volunteers and apprentices who work to make each day possible at Taste Community Restaurants. And donors who provide financial support to ensure everyone can taste and see the Lord is good at Taste Community Restaurants.
Q: Can I dine at Taste Community Restaurant without Priority Access?
A: Yes! Priority Access is not required, but does reduce your wait time. Alternatively you can reserve a table online or join us in-person to access our waitlist. Please note, wait times can reach 30 t 60 minutes without a reservation or Priority Access.
Q: How many points do I need for Priority Access?
A: Taste Buds earn one Priority Access Pass every time you volunteer with us, and every time you complete an appointment with one of our Partner Resources. Each pass provides Priority Access for you and a guest, or you and your immediate family.
Q: Is there a maximum number of points I can have in my account?
A: Each Taste Bud can have a maximum of 25 passes in your account. Each pass is good for 12 months from the date you receive it.
Q: Are there other ways to earn Priority Access?
A: Today, Taste Buds can earn Priority Access by volunteering at Taste Community Restaurants or by participating in our Partner Resources available on Mondays when the dining room is closed. In the future, we plan to add Priority Access points for dining and donating monthly to support the work we do to feed, educate, and serve our community.
Q: How do I check my balance?
A: Text “Community Rewards” to (817) 784-7707 and a member of our team will provide your current balance. You must text from the mobile device connected to your Community Rewards Account.