Students share cup of kindness downtown

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This article was published 08/04/2022 (1632 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A class of young students set out to spread some kindness this week, one cup of coffee at a time.

After reading the Feb. 19 Free Press article “Desperation in the Downtown,” David Leochko’s Grade 5 class at Meadows West School planned an act of kindness. The goal was to support one of the many local businesses who lost the bulk of their customers when Winnipeg office workers stayed home due to COVID-19.

Within about two weeks, the students fundraised $580 for their “Cup of Kindness” project, which provides free cups of coffee at Thom Bargen Coffee and Tea.

“We decided to give out cups of coffee for free so (those who get them) can share other kindness. Since they felt kindness in their hearts, maybe they’ll go out and share it with the world, so this world can be a better place,” said student Harlene Datuin.

The group initially aimed to raise $500 dollars but surpassed its goal. On Wednesday, a day before their teacher delivered the funds to the coffee shop, the students were enthusiastic about providing the support.

“It was really exciting knowing that someone was going to get cups of coffee for free,” said Stefan Gavranovic.

The students hoped to start a “pay it forward” trend at the coffee shop to perk up more Winnipeggers.

“We learned that when you spread kindness, it makes you feel better and when we donated we felt a lot better to know we were helping someone and that they were spreading kindness to more people,” said Willy Ventura Olaes.

Graham Bargen, who co-owns Thom Bargen with Thom Hiebert, said he was a bit taken aback when first approached about the donation.

“I was fairly humbled. I also felt like there’s a lot going on in the world and… you feel this sort of guilt when someone’s trying to help you (because) there’s other things to worry about… But it’s really cool for them to learn the positive impact they can have when they work together,” said Bargen.

He said most of the money was put on gift cards, which staff will draw from at the Kennedy Street and Sherbrook Street locations to provide free coffees to customers who would benefit most. Since the coffee shop already provides those drinks to multiple regular customers facing financial challenges, it made sense to add on to that effort, said Bargen.

“We have quite a few customers that come in on the regular that (either) live in social housing or some form of assisted living in the area that we help out with coffee almost daily,” he said. “I thought this could be a great way for us to continue to help them out.”

Some of the cash was also set aside to provide random free coffees to customers Thursday morning at the Kennedy location. Bargen said those customers typically insisted on paying and passing on the favour to the next person in line.

“The carry-it-forward thing is definitely legit. When you do pay for someone’s coffee… they almost always still pay and (say) just tack it on for the next person,” he said. “The only time it doesn’t get passed on is when someone is just surprised and they don’t even know what to do.”

Bargen said he was impressed by the students’ enthusiasm for helping others. “For them to realize they can have an impact on the local level… Just that empowerment (for a child), I think that’s beautiful.”

Leochko said the students have participated in both the Winnipeg Police Association Cool 2Be Kind program, as well as the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada Roots and Shoots youth leadership program, which helped inspire the project.

“Both (programs) have the idea to start (community projects) at a local level… right at your community. When the (Free Press) article came up, it just felt right about starting at the community level and letting kids see that they can make a difference,” said Leochko.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga