By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Not-so-random acts of kindness are proliferating around Geelong as the city’s suspended coffee movement gains momentum.
Another 18 cafes have joined city caffeine dispensary Lavish since the Independent reported the campaign last month.
Onwer Shane Goodall said Lavish had served 272 free coffees and had another 204 booked.
Suspended coffee is an Italian tradition in which a customer purchases two coffees but consumes one. The other remains “suspended” for a customer unable to afford a coffee.
Mr Goodall estimated that Geelong cafes had so far given away over 500 coffees to customers in financial hardship.
Participating cafes covered Geelong, most suburbs and coastal areas.
He said cafes also provided hot soup and sandwiches as well as coffee, with a word-of-mouth referral network springing up.
The campaign has struck an alliance with Col Hastings, who oversees the Christ Church community meals program.
Mr Hastings said the number of people in need in Geelong now exceeded the devastation in the wake of the Pyramid financial disaster.
He said the program provided almost 600 meals a week as well as a daily distribution of emergency food parcels, with no relief in sight.
The meals program is adding a health component, enabling the homeless and others in need to access medical care.
The suspended coffee campaign has received corporate support, with Lake Imaging tipping in $200 to get it started, Josies Transport paying for a flyer and Dyno Displays supplying cafe door stickers.
