Support LuLu’s Cafe & Bakery & Co-Founder Don Gaines

Dear Friends of LuLu’s and the Memphis Community,

We’re reaching out with heavy hearts and hopeful spirits on behalf of LuLu’s Cafe & Bakery, Memphis’ beloved vegan, worker-owned cooperative. As many of you know, LuLu’s is more than just a bakery — it’s a community hub built on love, equity, and nourishment, where good food brings people together.

Recently, tragedy struck our small team when Don Gaines, one of LuLu’s co-founders and the heart of so much of what makes LuLu’s special, was seriously injured in a hit and run cycling accident. Don is currently recovering from significant injuries and faces a long road of healing ahead — including time away from work, medical treatments, and a growing list of expenses.

Those who know Don know this: he is a person who gives everything he’s got to the people and causes he believes in. He’s passionate about cycling, plant-based food, animal welfare, and building a just and caring community. Through LuLu’s, he’s poured that passion into every loaf of bread and bowl of soup, every conversation with our regulars, every funky little fermented concoction. Now, we’re asking the community he’s served so consistently to show up for him.

As a worker-owned co-op, LuLu’s runs on shared labor and shared values. With Don unable to work, our team of 4 (currently being worker-owner and co-founder Stephanie, worker-owner Alexa, and coworkers Irby and Dante) is stretched thin — emotionally, physically, and financially. We are doing everything we can to keep LuLu’s open and continue serving the community, but we need your help to make it through this difficult time.

Here’s how your donation will help:

===> $9500 will cover Don’s out-of-pocket maximum for medical bills and recovery-related expenses

===> $9200* to keep LuLu’s operating as we close for the next 7-8 Sundays to allow our staff a day to rest, and to ensure our staff, including Don, continues to be paid

Sustain the mission of a community-based, people-powered bakery

*Our average revenue on Sundays is $1.3K.

If Don has ever handed you your favorite pastry, fixed your sando just the way you like it (tomato jam, cashew cheese, et al), shared a laugh with you on the weekly social ride, or simply inspired you with his commitment to a better world — now’s the time to return that kindness.

Let’s come together to lift up Don and ensure LuLu’s can keep thriving for years to come.

With love and gratitude,

The LuLu’s Cafe & Bakery Cooperative

Please donate and share this with anyone who loves LuLu’s, Don, or the spirit of community we’ve built together.