Nick Dimitrokallis sells hundreds of cafe lattes and cappuccinos every day, but this week cafe owner Nick has added a new line to his busy Melbourne Bakehouse. It’s called suspended coffee and he’s giving it away for free.
Suspended coffees are paid for by customers who buy one cuppa for themselves and a second that is ‘suspended’ for someone in need.
People down on their luck can come into any cafe that’s part of the rapidly-growing movement (cafes taking part get a sticker to put in their window), and ask if a suspended coffee is available.
It’s all based on a century-old Italian tradition and it’s catching on across Australia like wildfire.
In Melbourne the concept was launched by social media entrepreneur Declan Jacobs and marketing manager Jett Mahmud at the end of March, when they put up a Facebook page promoting the idea. It quickly went viral.
A month later, they had over 3000 likes and more than 30 cafes signed up across Victoria. More are joining every week.
“We thought that because the concept was so simple, people would actually get it and think that they would be able to contribute, that everyone could make a difference with a couple of dollars,” Jacobs told Neos Kosmos.
“It’s the stories that we read from people posting on our Facebook page of how it has touched their lives, that they really feel connected to something – that they can make a small difference in someone’s life, even if for a brief moment.
“What we hoped for was to change peoples attitudes and in a very small way, we might just be doing this. There’s a long way to go, but it’s a start.”
Nick Dimitrokallis says he feels honoured to be the first Greek Australian participant in the scheme.
“We see a few people in the area at the begging stage, it’s a sign of the times. People are struggling,” says Nick.
“I know the people who come in to my cafe who are doing it tough, I look at this as goodwill. I’ve lived in the area for 47 years. People know me and I know them.”
For Nick, the suspended coffee project means business as usual – continuing a long tradition of helping out the less fortunate in the Port Melbourne community.
“There are three generations who come in to my cafe from the same family. I know the ones that are struggling. It makes me happy to help people who are down on their luck.
“It’s my neighbourhood, and suspended coffee is just another part of it, another brick in the wall that you build for everybody.”
For more information and to take part in the suspended coffee movement go to www.suspendedcoffee.com.au
