LaShonna is a retired veteran who served in the military and was wounded in Iraq. Since she left the military, she has looked for ways to continue to give back to her community. That is how she and her wife, Buffie, came to be the adoptive parents of TEN children, all from Ohio! A little over a year ago, LaShonna heard about One Bistro through her dog walking business and Diane Dixon. She was curious about the concept of a community café but didn't have much of a chance to get involved until COVID hit. All in a moment, her business stopped and their families finances were stretched to the breaking point. When One Bistro started offering family-sized, take home, heat & eat meals, several people sponsored LaShonna and Buffie and purchased meals for them so that they could continue to put food on the table. They went from serving to being served but because of One Bistro's model, they were treated with dignity and respect.
Since the bistro has opened back up, LaShonna, Buffie and their family have become regulars at Wednesday night Community Meals. They have a diverse family, the kids raging from 3 years old to 19 years old. "There are a lot of places we don't fit in," says LaShonna, "but at One Bistro we fit. Buffie and I try to give our kids as many tools as we can to help them through their lives. Finding community and a support network and a sense of belonging is invaluable, and that is what we have found at the bistro." Now their 15 year old is planning to start volunteering regularly.
A message LaShonna wishes she could share about One Bistro with other members of the community, "No matter your situation, there is a place for you there. There is a place for everyone!"
