Gawler cafe embraces 'suspended coffees' to help people in need Conversations Cafe is starting up a program for people to buy a 'suspended coffee' for people doing it tough. Kate Quinn who has got behind the program and paid for coffees Picture: Roy Van Der Vegt Source: adelaidenow A GAWLER cafe has embraced a worldwide "pay it forward" movement helping people in need enjoy the simple pleasure of a cup of coffee. Conversations Cafe owner Mignon McLeod said the "suspended coffee" idea gave patrons a chance to pay for a coffee to be passed on to someone who could not afford to buy one. "It's just a way of helping out," Ms McLeod said. It's about being aware of what's going on in the world. Suspended coffees started in Naples, Italy and has been reported as far afield as Russia and Quebec, with cafes in Australian capital cities and towns, like Ballarat and Mackay, taking up the tradition in recent weeks. The movement has more than 53,000 "likes" on Facebook. The Murray St cafe started the program last Tuesday (April 16) with more than a dozen customers buying suspended coffees in the first week. Gawler resident Kate Quinn jumped at the chance to help out on her weekly visit to the cafe. "I think it's a fantastic idea," Ms Quinn said. It's good to be able to give back to people less fortunate. She said the program was based on the honour system which trusted people would do the right thing and only ask for a suspended coffee if they were in need. I think people are genuinely very honest. I think it'll work really well. Local Kirsten Whisson said she liked the anonymity of the idea and knowing someone in the local community would benefit. "People want to help people in the community and they don't know how and this is really simple," Mrs Whisson said. She said most people would not miss the cost of a coffee. Ms McLeod said people doing it tough could ask if there were any suspended coffees available, and she was happy for funds to be used for a meal rather than coffee. She said the program was not just about helping the homeless, but would also help those struggling with every day living costs. "It's our elderly generation that could use it most," Ms McLeod says. They've worked their whole lives. They suffer in this economy more than anyone. She said she hoped to use the first donations to provide coffee for veterans on Anzac Day. I wanted to pay it forward and this idea was just so simple.