FREDERICTON – The Woodstock Coffee Girls got their start because their rector, the Rev. Maria Shepherdson, made a Facebook post about something that began more than a decade ago.
In 2013, John Sweeney, a plumber from Ireland, started a Facebook page called Suspended Coffees. His message was simple: Buy a cup of coffee for a stranger, because an act of kindness can change a life.
Eight hours later, the page had attracted more than 20,000 likes.
Suspended coffee, or “caffe sospeso,” is a tradition that comes from Naples, Italy, where when customers buy coffee, they also pay in advance for a cup to be given to somebody else – usually someone who otherwise couldn’t afford it.
“Jill Craig and Jennifer Taylor became enthusiastic organizers of our own suspended coffee program,” says Ms. Shepherdson, incumbent of the Parish of Woodstock, which includes the churches of St. Luke’s and Christ Church.
“We went a step further and partnered with Tim Hortons, our neighbour across the street from St. Luke’s, to offer a hot drink and food to our local folk in need of some kindness, and a place to be indoors as legitimate customers during the fall and winter months.”
That was last fall. They told fellow parishioners in the parish of the plan to pay for a simple coffee and snack, and set up a donation box at the back of the church.
“All we did was share through the parish that we were starting this initiative,” says Ms. Craig. “People have been very generous.”
At first, they bought gift cards for Tims and had the staff there give them out to those likely to need them. But that was a bit cumbersome for the staff and embarrassing for the recipients, so they came up with another plan.
Both Ms. Craig and Ms. Taylor have volunteer and professional connections with those who work with people seeking assistance. In particular, they approached the Regional Resiliency Project, which works one-on-one with people in precarious situations.
This group has identified four people in town as being unhoused, four more with no income and many more who cannot feed their families.
“I contacted a friend who had connections with two outreach workers,” says Ms. Taylor. “They talk to people, so the cards go to these people.”
Now the outreach workers have the gift cards and give them out as needed.
“Dignity matters in any undertaking of this nature, and we wanted to ensure that rather than having to go and ask, those most in need had a Tim Hortons prepaid card worth $10 to use as they wished,” says Ms. Shepherdson.
It’s all done with receipts, so each group knows exactly what has been bought and given out. To date, since last fall, more than $900 has been raised, meaning 90 $10 gift cards – enough for a coffee, soup and a donut – have been purchased and given out.
One benefit of the cards is if a person doesn’t use all $10, the balance is still there for them to use next time.
The next phase of the project is underway. There is a significant need for underwear, socks and warm undershirts amongst those the coffee project has supported, so the parish has just launched Bloomers and Long Johns, placing a box at the back of the church for those who need clothing.
There used to be three churches on the downtown stretch of Main Street. “We’re the only church on the street now,” said Ms. Craig. “We want to be seen as the place you can come to freely, and we’re doing what we can to help the community.”
The New Brunswick Anglican
Times of discernment are difficult