Random Acts of Kindness, an Italian inspiration

Italy has a charming and long standing tradition called the Caffe Sospero (or suspended coffee). Coffee is an essential part of the average Italian’s day so the theory goes that everyone should have access to it. In some areas, particularly in the South of the country people will order their own coffee and also pay for a second cup which is then left “pending” for someone who needs it. If someone has a promotion or some good luck they may leave several coffees behind the counter.

This is an act of anonymous kindness with no agenda, no expectation of thanks and just the knowledge of helping another human being who cannot afford the price of a cup of coffee, helping them in just a small but culturally significant way. This is not a Christmas tradition, it’s something that happens all year round and it’s just such a lovely idea.

Similarly some city food shops in the UK have a system where you can pay in advance for food for someone else.

This year when you are planning for Christmas you may want to think about your own equivalent of the caffe sospero for the season or better yet for the next year ahead as well. It doesn’t have to be anything big or expensive, just something that the end recipient will benefit from. 

• So could you take out your elderly neighbours wheelie bin for them or clear their snow?
• Could you add something to your shopping and leave it at the supermarket collection for the food bank? 
• Could you volunteer your time?
• Or follow the Italians and buy a coffee for someone who perhaps needs your company over the festive period more than the beverage. You could take them so of your own iced cookies, the icing recipe is available here on Sanctuary First 

You choose: “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (see Matthew 25: 40).

Julie Barr