7-Eleven is doing its bit to get a cup of coffee in the hands of people experiencing hardship. A coffee is the first step to starting a valuable conversation, says the Salvo’s Major Brendan Nottle.
The convenience chain has donated a second coffee machine to The Salvation Army Melbourne Project 614 Magpie Nest Café.
The project’s commanding officer Major Nottle said “The Magpie Nest Café gives vulnerable people a place to drop in night and day. We sit down over a cuppa and start building a relationship to understand the services we can connect the client with.
“7-Eleven gave us one of their coffee machines in 2014. They saw that by having a machine, it would allow us to spend more time to talking with clients. So they installed the machine, and have been keeping it maintained, and stocked in beans and cups ever since.
“We’re really excited that 7-Eleven have been able to provide an additional machine, and also a single use cup recycling unit for our Magpie Nest Café. These machines have now poured two million cups of coffee,” he said.
According to Major Nottle, often the first step in meeting people’s needs is starting a conversation over a cup of coffee.
7-Eleven Australia CEO and managing director, Angus McKay, said the 7-Eleven team was very proud to be able to support The Salvation Army as part of its Good Cause program.
“I’m honoured to be here to show our support the Salvos and the incredible work they do. Homelessness is an issue that we are very aware of and our team wanted to do something to help those they see around the stores.
“The first coffee machine was an obvious place to start. Since then, we’ve become more connected with the Salvos, as well as the work the team do at Melbourne Project 614.
“Our team volunteer in the café, they donate as part of our workplace giving, and they take part in donation drives. Our city store teams also pick up the phone to let the Salvos outreach teams know there’s someone nearby who might need help,” he said.
Major Nottle says there are a variety of ways for people to engage with the work of the charity.
“Whether it’s a financial contribution, a donation in kind, or volunteering to help serve meals or sort donated goods, everything helps. The generosity of the Australian community in helping people doing it tough makes such a difference to people’s lives. Their support truly provides hope to those who need it most,” he said.
