Please Read, and Share "Suspended Coffee"

[Heather MC]

I found This On Facebook, I had to pass it on, Please do the same
Wouldn't it be great if this became common place in the US?

Scott Sonnon
"We enter a little coffeehouse with a friend of mine and give our order. While we’re approaching our table two people come in and they go to the counter:

‘Five coffees, please. Two of them for us and three suspended’ They pay for their order, take the two and leave.

I ask my friend: “What are those ‘suspended’ coffees?”
My friend: “Wait for it and you will see.”

Some more people enter. Two girls ask for one coffee each, pay and go. The next order was for seven coffees and it was made by three lawyers - three for them and four ‘suspended’. While I still wonder what’s the deal with those ‘suspended’ coffees I enjoy the sunny weather and the beautiful view towards the square in front of the café. Suddenly a man dressed in shabby clothes who looks like a beggar comes in through the door and kindly asks
‘Do you have any suspended coffee?’

It’s simple - people pay in advance for a coffee meant for someone who can not afford a warm beverage. The tradition with the suspended coffees started in Naples, but it has spread all over the world and in some places you can order not only a suspended coffee, but also a sandwich or a whole meal.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have such cafés or even grocery stores in every town where the less fortunate will find hope and support? If you own a business why don’t you offer it to your clients… I am sure many of them will like it.

Please join https://www.facebook.com/SuspendedCoffeess?ref=hl

very respectfully,
Scott Sonnon

[valerief]

1. Wouldn't it be more wonderful to have a govt that offers a suspended safety net for those in need?

[Heather MC]

2. Well It doesn't hurt to offer personal Charity Whenever we can

Besides, currently we can't trust our Government to change a light bulb right now.

My Husband and I, Just Naturally help people, I thought perhaps people on DU, had that same Charitable Spirit. I guess you don't

Oh well

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. These things are not mutually exclusive.

You can believe in and practice personal charity (I think most of us do, one way or another) while still recognizing that personal charity is not enough to take care of everyone's needs. We also must have government policies that provide for the welfare of the many thousands of people whose needs are too great for the hit-or-miss donations of individuals and charities.

And I do think it's a tad insulting to suggest that other DUers lack "charitable spirit."

[Heather MC]

6. I specifically Posted this in DU Lounge Because

It is not a "political" story.

I thought that was the point of the Lounge
I apoligize to you,
however, please recognize that your post comes off as DU Snark, when all I was doing was Sharing a story about the Goodness of Humanity. Not the failures of our Government

Peace and Love

[valerief]

7. Thanks. I think buying coffee for others is "nice" at best. It's not wonderful. nt

[NYC_SKP]

8. That is the best response.

And we're talking about coffee (and maybe a scone).

I'm not expecting coffee and scones from the government.

This was a lovely idea and a lovely post.

[Heather MC]

9. Thank You :-) It won't change the world, but it can brighten someones day.

[Kali]

3. nice

[Heather MC]

5. Thank You!

[cntrygrl]

10. That's a good idea but until

it comes around my area I will continue giving those in need a $5 bill. I have done this for years. Most of the people I have given money to aren't standing on the corner with a tin can. The last fellow was walking his bicycle which was loaded down with various 'junk' articles. I still have no idea how he was able to put it all on there. We drove around the corner to meet up with him where I was able to pull off the road.

He was an older gentleman looking rather 'scruffy' and I got out of my car so I could talk with him. He had a sad story to tell. I asked if he would mind if I bought a particular small stuffed animal. He was more than willing. I didn't ask the price and handed him a $10 bill. He told me he didn't have change. I just said that when that stuffed animal was originally bought, I bet it cost it's first owner at least that much and no change was necessary. This man had no idea that I too had lived on the streets for a while when I was in my 20's. He hugged me and thanked me. I don't give to organizations, preferring the person in need gets the full amount and no administration costs.

[Heather MC]

11. Agreed, I prefer the one on one help.

[mrmpa]

12. A few years ago..........

I was on a 2 week camping trip out west with my then 16 year old nephew. We got off a ramp in South Dakota. It was about 94 degrees and there were two men, hatless trying to hitch a ride.

I had no room to pick them up, but I did have cold water and extra baseball caps. I stopped my SUV, pulled 4 bottles of water and two caps. I handed them to the men. My nephew asked why I did that. I said I had what they needed and it didn't harm me to give it to them. For the rest of the trip my nephew handed water to whoever he thought needed it.

Today he is a college grad and begins working for I think it's involved with the America First Program working for homes for the underserved, next Monday.

[cntrygrl]

13. You're very kind and

it rubbed of on your nephew. We learn by example and you are a great example.

[grilled onions]

14. The Word Charity Raises The Hackles Of The Conservative Element

Perhaps we should use the word Careity. Suspended is the way to go. It doesn't look like anything more than someone in need of a warm cuppa and getting it. The complainers would barely take notice of such an exchange unlike that same person passing out his hat,shaking a cup etc and going up to the counter with odd nickles and dimes.