The four-litre jar on the Barton Street East eatery counter is about half full of colourful buttons.

Some are large — the type found on sturdy winter pea coats — while others are more delicate, probably made to hold dress shirt collars in place.

At 541 Eatery and Exchange these buttons are a type of currency. Each is worth $1 and can be purchased by customers from the cashier. The buttons go into the jar and are used by others who can't afford a nutritious meal or coffee that day, said executive director Sue Carr.

"No matter the age, type or size of the buttons, they're all worth the same to us," she said. "And that's the same with our customers. No matter their background they receive the same treatment and food, all in the same place."

Every customer can use up to six buttons a day, which pays for snacks, or a breakfast, lunch or dinner usually priced between $3 and $6.

Even though 541, a registered charity, just opened on June 20, it has already become a community hub.

Located at 541 Barton St. E. at the corner of Westinghouse Avenue, the building was constructed in 1907 for the Bank of British North America and later became a Bank of Montreal branch.

Today it's sunny, fresh and busy — a student sits in a church-style pew enjoying a bowl of soup; four middle-aged women on mismatched chairs sip coffees in between conversations; and a man in his 40s reads the newspaper on a stool by the window.

In terms of attracting customers, 541 is two to three months ahead of where it planned to be, said founder and committee member Michael Bowyer.

"The only other places disadvantaged Hamiltonians can get cheap or free food are institutions that are cold and cafeterialike," said Bowyer, a former chef and current pastor at Compass Point Bible Church.

"We wanted to create a place with a good environment that serves nutritious and wholesome meals."

About 16 to 20 per cent of customers use the buttons, he added. Demand for buttons has gone up as people become more comfortable admitting their need to the familiar faces of 541 staff and volunteers.

"It's great the system is working, but we are just breaking even and need more people to donate," said Carr.

Like many customers, 541 regular Wendy Moore sometimes uses buttons and other times uses her own money to pay for her and her 14 year-old son's meals.

"What I like about 541 is that the food is really good and I know it will be quiet and safe," said Wendy. "There won't be any fights breaking out here."

While her son Taylor often comes in for his favourite root beer float, he also volunteers as a server and kitchen helper. Now he can make "a really good tomato sauce."

541 keeps its meal prices down by relying on 80 per cent volunteers and 20 per cent paid staff. That way it only needs to generate enough revenue to cover the cost of fresh and local food.

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Bowyer said the restaurant will need continuous donations from the community to help cover operating costs and future programming.

In the fall it's planning to launch an after-school homework club, as well as culinary, hospitality and custodial training through Ontario Disability Support Program and Mohawk College.

For more information visit fivefortyone.ca