Starbucks joins scheme to help homeless: Buy a 'suspended coffee' and it's banked for someone who needs it
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The coffee giant Starbucks has become the first British chain to sign up to a goodwill initiative allowing customers to buy a beverage and reserve one for the homeless.
The US-based multinational, which has recently faced a storm of public and political criticism over its British corporation-tax payments, said it was “embracing the spirit” of the Suspended Coffee Campaign.
The movement was pioneered in Naples and subsequently spread to Bulgaria, where 150 cafés have established the idea that allows customers to reserve a beverage for others unable to afford them and be rewarded with the “warm feeling” of a charitable donation.
“Coming soon, when a customer buys a suspended coffee we will provide coffee to that value to our long-standing community-charity partner Oasis, which will distribute it through community hubs across the UK,” said Ian Cranna, the vice-president of marketing at Starbucks UK.
He added that Starbucks would match the value of each suspended coffee bought in a cash donation to Oasis – a charity operating in more than 35 communities worldwide.
He said the company wanted to play its part in contributing to a “structured and long-term” initiative that gets “help straight to those who want and need it the most”.
The Starbucks decision to adopt the scheme could now see it followed by chains such as Pret A Manger and Costa Coffee, which have praised the idea online.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments