Brewing Kindness to #doDifferent
Life is so busy for most and whilst it seems impossible to make a tangible difference for people, sometimes it’s as simple as a gift of free coffee. That’s why, this week we are looking at a Johannesburg coffee shop that created a “Pay it Forward” initiative in the middle of the COVID-19 lockdown, that is still serving as a beautiful partnership between the community and them.
When starting in 2017, Neil and Samantha Golding had just been through a year of serious trauma. They believed that their year of trials had changed them for the better, and they had a chance to rebuild a simpler life from the ground up. So it was through a series of events, the family took over a coffee garage at Riversands Farm Village and launched DC Coffee Co. Fast forward a year and the Goldings launched their physical store in Pineslopes.
DC Coffee Co. was set up as a Non-Profit Coffee Shop with the aim of channelling as much of the resources derived through the business back into our local community. They wanted their customers to feel that their support of DC Coffee Co., was not building wealth for a few but was rather being invested back into community projects and partnerships with a host of local businesses and organisations committed to improving our surroundings – whether that be from education, environmental, social or business creation perspective. They are also a pet-friendly coffee store, so you can feel free to bring your furry friend in with you.
Their purpose was focused on “Brewing Kindness” and ensuring that the kindness modelled by them would mobilise others to be kind in a similar way to those around them. Their store is based on 3 key pillars; coffee, community and conversation! By creating a “safe space”, people can go to DC Coffee Co., knowing that they can be themselves and treat our environment as their home and family away from home, irrespective of their backgrounds, their beliefs or their personal situations.
In 2020, post the COVID-19 lockdown, they chose to fight for their community and helped to provide hope, love, and kindness in a time when it was most needed. They offered personal deliveries, followed by drive-through coffee. They also launched their “Pay It Forward” Wall which has still continued. They realised that many people were struggling, whether it was mentally, physically, emotionally or financially. DC Coffee Co. believed a cup of coffee in hand, together with a personal typed tag of encouragement that is attached to all of the cups, could help lift people up and give them a sense of renewed hope.
The impact that this had on many was very quick. This also helped to create a platform for conversation with people in the community, which led to them finding other ways in which to serve them. There was no qualification to redeem a free coffee, but simply stop by, and grab a voucher from their "Pay It Forward" Wall. This wall has remained a permanent and prominent feature in their store, and they continue to place vouchers on the wall daily in addition to many customers sponsoring vouchers themselves - ranging from free drinks to food items or an amount to spend in-store. The vouchers are sold in-store and provide space for a name, the gift being offered, and a personal note. You can also purchase these vouchers via WhatsApp requests on 064 535 0734.
As a coffee shop, they also facilitate campaigns and initiatives monthly, to rally the community behind causes close to their heart. This is often through the financial contribution of a business from their turnover and the support of their customers. The initiatives have included, but are not limited to, a literacy drive for a disadvantaged primary school in our area late last year, a partnership with Rare Bear funding and distributing 178 Rare Bears to kids with rare diseases, donations to animal shelters such as DogTown SA, the distribution of 200 Bags of Hope to 200 women affected by GBV in safe homes across our city, and over the last 2 months raising R30,000 to fund two specialised wheelchairs for The Sweethearts Foundation. One of their recent initiatives helped to raise funds for a boy who had been bullied since he was four, to go and attend, and compete, in the Karate World Championships in Scotland.
So the next time you are in need of a good cup of Joe with a homey atmosphere or are looking for an easy way to give back and pay it forward, look no further than DC Coffee Co.! With a clear passion, purpose and love for what they do, be a part of the impact they are making to improve the lives of those in the community by demonstrating kindness for others daily.
Find out more about DC Coffee Co. here or on their Facebook Page.
