Suspended Coffee

Frankie Fine's Avatar
I think it' s a nice idea. I find it super hard to ignore ppl going through hard times.

I often wonder if charity in a public place, where others are paying full price, would make a less fortunate person feel more humiliated...

That would bother me.

This Christmas I actually finished paying someone's grocery bill ahead of me in line. They simply didn't have enough on their bank card to cover the entire bill. I just thought screw it, holiday season,ppl need help sometimes. No big deal.

This thread reminds me I should be doing more for others, thank you !
JohnnyCap's Avatar
Thanks Doove, I like it when you add more than a negative on our/my ability to think.

Is there an origin to this suspended idea? Because I'm tempted to think its more about Starfucks selling another cup than it is anything else.

Personally, I'm skeptical (imagine that) of organized charity. The whole breast cancer thing is about selling merchandise (I fucking hate October NFL, sluts) and many executives of charitable foundations do too well. I am pissed I ever gave a thing to Goodwill, they're a for-profit enterprise. Nevertheless there are good places to give.

Part of the solution I think about involves making our worlds a little smaller, if there was just some way the fortunate in any given neighborhood could keep the less fortunate in their neighborhood working. But usually the effort is more towards getting those less fortunate out of the neighborhood.
Serious philanthropy is not easy. It takes a lot of effort to give away money with some likelihood that it will be put to good use.

In my own modest way, I try to be educated about the organizations I contribute to. Planned Parenthood is one of my favorites.
Plastic Man's Avatar
Though i'll add, it sounds like some in here would simply tell the cashier in that instance to just go f themselves. Originally Posted by Doove
Dearest Mr. Schweitzer you are a fantastic role model of generosity and morality this being such an upstanding glass shithouse in which to cast stones at others

ToriStarr's Avatar
Any suspended blowjobs available? Originally Posted by JohnnyCap
No one's paid for suspended bjs but sure feel free to start, I'm down ;-)
or maybe I could start accepting receipts of donation to Buffalo city mission, haven house (Womens abuse shelter), compass house (children's shelter) or the spca. Now there's an idea, I like it
ToriStarr's Avatar
I'm not a fan of the "suspended coffee" idea for a number of reasons, many of which have already been stated here. It's a sad fact that businesses will loose customers if the homeless start patronizing their business for "suspended anything" and therefore less likely to participate. That is sad but a fact non the less. It's also a waste of $ that could be used in a much more efficient way to help those in need. Add the fact that this does nothing to help these soles with other needs such as shelter, counseling, etc, etc, . . .
I worked in what is arguably the poorest section of Buffalo for 10 yrs. and I got to know every street in my territory. I wasn't stuck in one office or plant. I was out on the streets and I witnessed the homeless and needy in their element on a daily basis. Not a day went by that I wasn't asked for a handout. Common sense along with the fact that I never carried cash prevented me from giving any handouts. The fact is they were more apt to spend any cash at East Side Liquors rather than the McDonalds directly across the street from the liquor store. During this time I also had the opportunity to learn about the Buffalo Food Bank Of W.N.Y. on Holt St. and The Buffalo City Mission on E. Tupper. I donate to both because my $ goes further, is used for what it was intended for (not booze & drugs) and also helps in areas other than just food.
The Buffalo City Mission can give someone a complete hot meal for $1.98. Compare that to $3.15 for a lrg. coffee and a muffin at Timmy Ho's. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to do the math.
https://www.buffalocitymission.org/d..._campaign=paid

The Food Bank of W.N.Y. distributes to food pantries in numerous communities in Western New York.
http://www.foodbankwny.org/

I'm not familiar with Rochester or Syracuse but I would think there is something similar in each city. The way I see it, if I can afford to spend $$ to "hobby", I can certainly afford to help the less fortunate. Especially when you can donate right from the computer you're probably using to read this thread and comment. Originally Posted by rke324
Although I still like the suspended coffee idea, it is good to weigh the pros and cons of an idea like it, and I think you pointed out the cons better than some others. Good input!
Good idea. How many times have you seen a homeless person and wonder what's there story. Instead of me being judgmental about that person I think to myself that I'm am so lucky not to be in that persons shoes. Giving them some money is the least I can do to help them through the day. Careful to criticize till you walk in there shoes.
ToriStarr's Avatar
Good idea. How many times have you seen a homeless person and wonder what's there story. Instead of me being judgmental about that person I think to myself that I'm am so lucky not to be in that persons shoes. Giving them some money is the least I can do to help them through the day. Careful to criticize till you walk in there shoes. Originally Posted by Chris Tucker
THANK YOU!!!!! That is what I was saying!!!! But I think you said it better lol
I do volunteer work 2x/Mo at the Women's/Children's shelter. Grab a couple if friends and we make a couple meals or do game night for the moms and kids. Give out prizes too. Its amazing what a $2.00 item will do to a little kid!
Guest042416's Avatar
Nothing wrong with helping out the poor. I do not think people want to be homeless or have no food to eat, some can be helped some cant , Ive never walked in their shoes and I feel fortunate to have the things I have.
Plastic Man's Avatar
I do volunteer work 2x/Mo at the Women's/Children's shelter. Originally Posted by Howdy Do Me
lol! Let them know about your "hobby" and see then how much they love your volunteering.
holy best ever definition for the word irony
Hardpiped03's Avatar
lol! Let them know about your "hobby" and see then how much they love your volunteering.
holy best ever definition for the word irony Originally Posted by Plastic Man
PM.......do you partake in this hobby at all? And I am not talking about volunteering at the shelter.
Guest042416's Avatar
yes pm please share with us.

mr no reviews but all in judging everyone, let us know mr silent review.
PM, I suppose there is some irony there. To answer a few questions. I hobby once a week, twice if you include my right hand. I go down there for several reasons, none of which I care to share with a sociopathic ass such as yourself. The place I help at is not a dating site and I would guarantee they could care less what I do in my free time. Most of the women down there are there because of job loss, husbands walking out on them, husbands/ boyfriends beating them and the kids up, drug abuse too. There are streetwalkers there as well. I know helping others that are less fortunate than you may be a foreign concept to you. But try it sometime, the person you help couldn't give a rats ass about who or what your about. You helped them and that's what they care about!
TheRedMonroe's Avatar
I do volunteer work 2x/Mo at the Women's/Children's shelter. Grab a couple if friends and we make a couple meals or do game night for the moms and kids. Give out prizes too. Its amazing what a $2.00 item will do to a little kid! Originally Posted by Howdy Do Me
That is incredibly noble of you. One person (or many) may not be able to solve all the world's problems, but we all have the ability to help out one or a few at a time. "Every little bit helps, right?"

I don't know you, but just from this statement, I think that you are pretty amazing!

The world is full of negativity, hatred and horror. If an act like making sure that one person has at least one hot meal or hot drink a day makes the giver happy, why put them down for it.

The idea of suspended coffee or any program like it may not be perfect and won't solve poverty or hunger altogether, but I bet those on the receiving end are pretty grateful.