In the heart of Wilton Manors, Fla., “The Over Easy Café” has long been a beloved fixture. Owned by Cathy Cerniglia and her family, this local diner has been serving up downhome comfort food since 1995, with its eight booths and 12 counter seats always buzzing with loyal patrons. But beyond the bustling breakfast and lunch café, the family’s commitment to the community runs deep – and recently, their generosity reached across the state to those in need.
When Hurricane Milton struck the Gulf Coast last month, many areas, including Palmetto, Fla., were hit hard. As the storm’s aftermath rippled through the state, the Cerniglias demonstrated that a close-knit community extends far beyond immediate neighbors.
Cathy welcomed Ray and Wanda Thibeault, an elderly couple visiting from Palmetto, into her café and, hearing their stories of struggle back home, sent them off with a generous box of goodies to share with their neighbors and local first responders. The 90- and 87-year-old couple returned to Palmetto with a bounty of cookies and crackers from The Over Easy Café, spreading the kindness back to their community.
For the Cerniglias, acts of kindness like this aren’t out of the ordinary. Cathy has been actively engaged in community service for nearly 30 years. Her journey began with the Kiwanis Club, where she spent 13 years assembling food packs for local kids from mostly under-resourced households.
Wanting to streamline the process, Cathy eventually created her own nonprofit, “Broward Gives Back.” Through this organization, she runs a food pantry at Somerset School, and food give-away at Wilton Manor Elementary as well as at the PACE Center for Girls, providing children with a reliable food source that they can access directly at school. Thanks to donations and even some corporate gifts, the pantry remains stocked year-round, and Broward Gives Back also provides Publix gift cards for families, which are especially helpful during the holiday season.
Her dedication doesn’t stop with the pantry. Just recently, a generous delivery from a local Pepperidge Farm driver left Cathy with more cookies and crackers than her pantry could hold. Rather than letting anything go to waste, she decided to pass the surplus along to others who could benefit – which is how Ray and Wanda ended up with a box of treats to take back home.
When asked how she manages to juggle the café, which operates seven days a week, alongside a nonprofit food pantry program, Cathy’s answer is simple: “There’s no reason to stop! It’s a lot of work, but we get to do what we love – serve the community the best way we know how.”
With her husband, children, sister, and close friends by her side, Cathy Cerniglia embodies the spirit of community. The Over Easy Café is more than just a place to grab a meal; it’s a hub of kindness and generosity, one that radiates warmth far beyond its walls on Oakland Park Boulevard.
The Over Easy Café is located at 318 East Oakland Park Blvd, Wilton Manors, FL 33334. Hours are Mon-Fri 6 am – 1 pm ; Saturday 6 am-1 pm; and Sunday 7 am-1 pm. For more information call 954-561-1177 or visit http://www.overeasy.me/. To keep up with daily specials visit the diner’s Facebook.
William Kress, the founder of Kress Communications in Coconut Grove and Pompano Beach, is a contributor to the Community Newspapers.
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