Suspended Coffee Ready to Connect Those in Need in Adelaide...
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A charitable phenomenon has made its way to Adelaide thanks to social media and the support of some small cafes.
For just a few dollars, coffee drinkers can now do their bit to help the homeless and disadvantaged.
The concept of 'suspended coffees' started years ago in Italy and, with the help of social media, has gone global.
Darryl Pratt of the Red Door Bakery in the western suburbs said it had embraced the idea. "The fact that you can just do a nice thing for someone you're never ever going to meet and you know, it might just brighten their day a bit," he said.
Another cafe E for Ethel is also among those embracing the push for customers to buy a hot drink now but let someone less fortunate enjoy it later. Dan Harland works there and proud of customers who show their generosity. "It's an easy thing to donate, it's a coffee, it's not a great expense for our customers and, as you can see [from] the tally we've got, it racks up quite quickly," he said.
Hilda Zuvela of the Hawker Street Cafe told of those who arrived for one of the suspended coffees. "It's up to the person requesting the suspended coffee to say that they're in need of one," she explained. "I mean you can't judge a person by the way they talk or their appearance, we don't know a person's story."
Ian Cox of the welfare facility Hutt Street Centre in the city said it was a scheme which helped the disadvantaged feel more connected with society. "Coming into a cafe, they can come into a really safe environment, they feel respected, they feel in some ways as well they feel really valued, the fact that someone has really taken that extra initiative to look after them," he said.
Oliver Pfeil of the not-for-profit organisation Another Step Closer said it was working to connect the participating cafes with those in need.
"We want to get them (cafes) on board ... contact us and we'll put their name on the list, so everyone can see where they are," he said.
He said that information was then passed on to welfare groups.
Cafe owners say customers' generosity does not stop at coffee and some are buying food and soup to offer the homeless...
For just a few dollars, coffee drinkers can now do their bit to help the homeless and disadvantaged.
The concept of 'suspended coffees' started years ago in Italy and, with the help of social media, has gone global.
Darryl Pratt of the Red Door Bakery in the western suburbs said it had embraced the idea. "The fact that you can just do a nice thing for someone you're never ever going to meet and you know, it might just brighten their day a bit," he said.
Another cafe E for Ethel is also among those embracing the push for customers to buy a hot drink now but let someone less fortunate enjoy it later. Dan Harland works there and proud of customers who show their generosity. "It's an easy thing to donate, it's a coffee, it's not a great expense for our customers and, as you can see [from] the tally we've got, it racks up quite quickly," he said.
Hilda Zuvela of the Hawker Street Cafe told of those who arrived for one of the suspended coffees. "It's up to the person requesting the suspended coffee to say that they're in need of one," she explained. "I mean you can't judge a person by the way they talk or their appearance, we don't know a person's story."
Ian Cox of the welfare facility Hutt Street Centre in the city said it was a scheme which helped the disadvantaged feel more connected with society. "Coming into a cafe, they can come into a really safe environment, they feel respected, they feel in some ways as well they feel really valued, the fact that someone has really taken that extra initiative to look after them," he said.
Oliver Pfeil of the not-for-profit organisation Another Step Closer said it was working to connect the participating cafes with those in need.
"We want to get them (cafes) on board ... contact us and we'll put their name on the list, so everyone can see where they are," he said.
He said that information was then passed on to welfare groups.
Cafe owners say customers' generosity does not stop at coffee and some are buying food and soup to offer the homeless...
Gawler cafe embraces 'suspended coffees' to help people in need...
A GAWLER cafe has embraced a worldwide "pay it forward" movement helping people in need enjoy the simple pleasure of a cup of coffee.
Conversations Cafe owner Mignon McLeod said the "suspended coffee" idea gave patrons a chance to pay for a coffee to be passed on to someone who could not afford to buy one.
"It's just a way of helping out," Ms McLeod said.
"It's about being aware of what's going on in the world."
Suspended coffees started in Naples, Italy and has been reported as far afield as Russia and Quebec, with cafes in Australian capital cities and towns, like Ballarat and Mackay, taking up the tradition in recent weeks. The movement has more than 53,000 "likes" on Facebook.
The Murray St cafe started the program last Tuesday (April 16) with more than a dozen customers buying suspended coffees in the first week.
Gawler resident Kate Quinn jumped at the chance to help out on her weekly visit to the cafe.
"I think it's a fantastic idea," Ms Quinn said.
"It's good to be able to give back to people less fortunate."
She said the program was based on the honour system which trusted people would do the right thing and only ask for a suspended coffee if they were in need.
"I think people are genuinely very honest. I think it'll work really well."
Local Kirsten Whisson said she liked the anonymity of the idea and knowing someone in the local community would benefit.
"People want to help people in the community and they don't know how and this is really simple," Mrs Whisson said.
She said most people would not miss the cost of a coffee.
Ms McLeod said people doing it tough could ask if there were any suspended coffees available, and she was happy for funds to be used for a meal rather than coffee. She said the program was not just about helping the homeless, but would also help those struggling with every day living costs.
"It's our elderly generation that could use it most," Ms McLeod says.
"They've worked their whole lives. They suffer in this economy more than anyone."
She said she hoped to use the first donations to provide coffee for veterans on Anzac Day.
"I wanted to pay it forward and this idea was just so simple."
Original Article: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/gawler-cafe-embraces-suspended-coffees-to-help-people-in-need/story-e6frfkp9-1226627006118#ixzz2SOios2zo
Conversations Cafe owner Mignon McLeod said the "suspended coffee" idea gave patrons a chance to pay for a coffee to be passed on to someone who could not afford to buy one.
"It's just a way of helping out," Ms McLeod said.
"It's about being aware of what's going on in the world."
Suspended coffees started in Naples, Italy and has been reported as far afield as Russia and Quebec, with cafes in Australian capital cities and towns, like Ballarat and Mackay, taking up the tradition in recent weeks. The movement has more than 53,000 "likes" on Facebook.
The Murray St cafe started the program last Tuesday (April 16) with more than a dozen customers buying suspended coffees in the first week.
Gawler resident Kate Quinn jumped at the chance to help out on her weekly visit to the cafe.
"I think it's a fantastic idea," Ms Quinn said.
"It's good to be able to give back to people less fortunate."
She said the program was based on the honour system which trusted people would do the right thing and only ask for a suspended coffee if they were in need.
"I think people are genuinely very honest. I think it'll work really well."
Local Kirsten Whisson said she liked the anonymity of the idea and knowing someone in the local community would benefit.
"People want to help people in the community and they don't know how and this is really simple," Mrs Whisson said.
She said most people would not miss the cost of a coffee.
Ms McLeod said people doing it tough could ask if there were any suspended coffees available, and she was happy for funds to be used for a meal rather than coffee. She said the program was not just about helping the homeless, but would also help those struggling with every day living costs.
"It's our elderly generation that could use it most," Ms McLeod says.
"They've worked their whole lives. They suffer in this economy more than anyone."
She said she hoped to use the first donations to provide coffee for veterans on Anzac Day.
"I wanted to pay it forward and this idea was just so simple."
Original Article: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/gawler-cafe-embraces-suspended-coffees-to-help-people-in-need/story-e6frfkp9-1226627006118#ixzz2SOios2zo