The idea is a simple one: when paying for one coffee, another ‘suspended’ beverage is paid for, which means a person without the funds to purchase their own can have a coffee made available.
Declan Jacobs, a telecom company manager, established the Suspended Coffee Society in Melbourne, before printing hundreds of window stickers to display in cafes wishing to take part. He said:
“It only takes one person to start something…you don’t need a corporation on board.”
Jacobs is also coordinating the initiative with the help of welfare agencies such as the Society of St Vincent De Paul and the Sacred Heart Mission. He is hoping they can provide clients with information of participating cafes. Cathy Humphrey, from the Sacred Heart Mission, believes St Kida cafes are welcoming the idea. She said:
“There’s goodwill in the community to take this up…it will be important to engage café proprietors. Some could be challenged by dealing with people who are experiencing homelessness.”
Steve Taylor of valley Xpresso is already taking part, and has donated suspended coffees to coffee carts in Melbourne’s east. He has noted that many locals live in housing commission residences and caravan parks, and can’t easily afford luxuries.
Participating cafes can easily keep track of available suspended coffees with the help of tickets or coupons acquired from the area’s printing services.