Cafe’s customers encouraged to give strangers a coffee lift
BARISTA Kate Crawford was happy to pay for two coffees when she walked into an Alexandra Headland cafe, despite knowing she would be drinking only one.
The second brew was to be held in credit to be poured when someone else, probably a stranger, came in needing a bit of a lift.
Miss Crawford was at Milk and Beans Coffee House yesterday during the launch of a "suspended coffee" initiative.
Cafe owner Jaco van Ryssen said a plan to offer free coffees to people who were having a tough time or a bad day reflected the direction he wanted to take his new business.
"We started off this coffee shop to help in the community," Mr van Ryssen said.
"It's really part of the bigger plan."
Miss Crawford said she worked as a barista in her hometown of Emerald, in central Queensland.
"I think that everyone deserves coffee and if that (donating a coffee) is the smallest thing I can do to help someone today, then why not," Miss Crawford said.
She thought the suspended coffee idea was a great plan.
"I think it definitely shows there are still people who aren't all about profits and margins," she said.
Mr van Ryssen said customers had supported the initiative and bought a few coffees in advance.
He had also started giving them out to people, in particular a woman who was having a rough day.
"Her day was just made," he said.
Mr van Ryssen said he was inspired by others who were dedicated to homeless people, particularly children.
His ultimate dream is to start a drug rehabilitation facility where residents can learn skills such as trades.
"The plan is to get at least 10 of these (coffee) shops going," he said, adding that anyone having a bad day or needing a bit of time out was welcome to come in to meet with him or other staff.
"It's a bit like a place where people can come and have a chat and find rest."
Source: Sunshine Coast Daily, Stuart Cumming, 23rd August 2015
Originally published as: Cafe’s customers encouraged to give strangers a coffee lift
