To ask if you would please consider asking your favorite coffee shop to let you buy a suspended coffee?

[DrSeuss]

www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/suspended-coffee-what-a-wonderful-idea-8553747.html
I just asked my local place via their FB page to do this and am awaiting their response.

[Theicingontop]

What a lovely idea.

[DrSeuss]

So much more dignified for the homeless too.

[purplewithred]

Sorry, but I think there are more effective uses of my money than an overpriced coffee. Would rather make a donation to Shelter.

[scottishtablet]

How does it work, though? Does the homeless person have to come in and ask if someone has done it?

[JaxTellerIsMyFriend]

Dr Seuss I started a thread in Chat about this earlier today, maybe mnhq could merge the 2 together?

[Imsosorryalan]

The theory is that you don't have to buy a coffee, it could be a sandwich, meal etc.
I'd do it

[MammaTJ]

Yes, they do scottish. I saw this on an FB page and like the idea. We have no homeless people round here, so no point.

[ImTooHecsyForYourParty]

It seems a lovely idea, but how can there be any regulation?

How do I know that the company won't simply pocket my donation?

How do they know that the person who asks for one is actually homeless?

It's not so dignified to have to go into a coffee shop and see if there's anything, particularly if they say no and you have to turn around and leave.

I actually think that is quite humiliating.

[scottishtablet]

I agree that that is humiliating and degrading.

[Theicingontop]

Would there be a sort of scoreboard or something... The amount of coffees available would be recorded on a chalkboard? So then they'd know.

[cleofatra]

Yes, exactly. How would they know?
I notice my BIL has posted something about this on his facebook. He appears to be homeless at the best of times but isn't. And he is the type to take advantage of this.

[BackforGood]

I agree with PurplewithRed - you'd be far better donating to your local soup kitchen or a charity such as shelter than putting money behind the counter of overpriced coffee shops - think how many tins of soup you could get for the price of a coffee in a place like that.

[DrSeuss]

What if they gave you a ticket that could be handed in, you could give it to someone in obvious need?

[forgetmenots]

I like the idea.

I take your point purple, but for some of the homeless I've spoken to it's more the hour or so in the heat of a cafe than the drink itself. The coffee is overpriced, true, but I would hope a hot drink and a comfy chair would be a positive thing for someone who was struggling. Small steps and all that.

Perhaps there could also be an incentive scheme (a bit like the Cafe Nero buy nine get a tenth free), where if you get enough stamps a coffee will be donated.

[specialsubject]

no. Far better uses of money. If people really need food or drink donations, it should be something with nutritional value.

'coffee outlets LITTER our streets'. Correct.

[BlackAffronted]

Whats to stop scroungers using up the free drinks?
Would there be a limit or regulation as to how many drinks/how often a homeless person can claim?
Couldnt you donate some food to a food bank instead? You would get a lot more for your money! For £3, you could get quite a few tins of food!

[forgetmenots]

Good point on the actual admin of it Hec. Needs thought. Still think it's a good idea, can we crack it?

[wannaBe]

so, we suggest giving more money to the likes of starbucks, who don't pay their taxes as it is, in the hope that they give a free coffee to someone who claims to be homeless? Ridiculous idea.

[DrSeuss]

What if the shop sends a quantity of vouchers funded by customers to a charity or shelter. Staff would be trained to show no reaction when a voucher is given to them but simply take the order. The vouchers could be of similar size to a banknote, no one looks that hard as people pay. Written on the voucher could be what has been prepaid.

[Montybojangles]

I thought this was an urban myth [buhmm]

[DrSeuss]

AlSo, I messaged an independent, not a chain.

[cleofatra]

Can't you get a full breakfast for the same price as these ££ coffees at some pubs?

[DrSeuss]

So, message a pub! If you own/ work in a pub, cafe or restaurant, make some vouchers, put up a poster and send purchased vouchers to a shelter.

[Rulesgirl]

Also not all coffee shops will want homeless people coming in and using their facilities ie.... they might go into the toilets for a full wash up and leave a mess which is not fair on the owners or the staff to have to clean up. And some of the homeless people can and do put off other people using the coffee shop because groups of them together can be offensive. Im sorry I know it sounds awful but if you own a coffee shop you are trying to make money like anyone else and need all the business you can get in this day and age. Some coffee shops market their business around a certain type of customer and work hard to maintain their image. Not all homeless people are equal. Some are hard drug users and alcoholics and although I don't deny them a cup of hot beverage I don't think that coffee shops are the place to be encouraging them to spend time. Worse case is that they do deals in the shop and shoot up in the bathroom. Just looking at the "worse case scenario" here.

[JaxTellerIsMyFriend]

nobody says it HAS to be a Starbucks or Chain coffee shop, it can be anywhere that chooses to participate. And while it is a good idea, of course there needs to be some more thought in implementing this so that it can work properly.