Brewing kindness: Lumby, B.C., pays it forward with 'suspended coffee'

The North Okanagan community of Lumby, B.C. is giving back to the less fortunate by embracing the international 'suspended coffee' movement.

When making a purchase, customers can choose to donate a little extra, and the money will go toward buying coffee and food for those in need.

"If somebody comes along and they're down on their luck or they're down-and-out or maybe they just don't have their wallet that day, they can take a coffee, a muffin or whatever," said Margie Bilodeau, the owner of Jitter Beans Coffee House.

She said the small community is so tight-knit, business owners can often tell who needs an extra helping hand or a cup of coffee.

"It's not embarrassing. Nobody has to be intimidated. Nobody even needs to know that it's happening."

'It's just a really wonderful thing'

The 'suspended coffee' movement started decades ago in Naples, Italy, but has been growing in popularity worldwide. 

The movement came to Lumby in the fall after a citizen pitched the idea online to local businesses.

"I thought that it was a really great, super considerate, community-minded thing to do that takes care of everybody," said Katie Salter, the woman behind the Lumby campaign.

"I just decided one day that I should suggest it. I felt really strongly that I should. It went from there. It just took right off."

There are now at least five local businesses taking part: Jitter Beans Coffee House, Millie's Kitchen, Sisters restaurant, Lumby Health Foods and Take Two Dinner and a Movie.

At Jitter Beans, so many people are buying suspended coffees, it currently exceeds the need.

"This morning almost everybody that has been in has said, 'can I suspend a coffee?' or 'here's 10 bucks,'" said Bilodeau.

Salter said she is surprised and thrilled at the community's response.

"I think everybody has been in a position where they don't have that bit of money and they're hungry and it's just a really wonderful thing."