Suspended meal: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 06:24, 16 February 2025

A practice of paying for a meal for someone in need

Suspended meal[edit]

A suspended meal is a form of charitable giving where a customer pays in advance for an extra meal or drink, which can later be claimed by someone in need. This practice is rooted in the tradition of suspended coffee, which originated in Naples, Italy.

History[edit]

The concept of suspended meals is believed to have started in the early 20th century in Naples, where it was known as "caffè sospeso" or "suspended coffee." The idea was that a person could pay for two coffees, one for themselves and one for someone who could not afford it. This tradition has since expanded to include meals and has spread to various parts of the world.

Implementation[edit]

In practice, a customer at a participating restaurant or café can choose to pay for an additional meal or drink, which is then recorded by the establishment. When someone in need comes in, they can ask if there are any suspended meals available and receive one without charge. This system relies on the honesty and goodwill of both the customers and the establishment.

Benefits[edit]

The suspended meal system provides several benefits:

It allows individuals to help those in need in a direct and personal way.
It fosters a sense of community and solidarity.
It provides a dignified way for people in need to receive assistance without having to ask for charity directly.

Challenges[edit]

While the concept of suspended meals is noble, it faces several challenges:

Ensuring that the meals reach those who truly need them.
Maintaining the integrity of the system to prevent abuse.
Encouraging more establishments to participate in the program.

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Suspended Meal'''
+{{Short description|A practice of paying for a meal for someone in need}}
-A '''Suspended Meal''' or '''Pending Meal''' is a charitable tradition that originated in [[Naples]], [[Italy]]. This practice involves someone purchasing a meal or drink in advance for a person who cannot afford to pay. The concept is based on the Italian tradition of ''caffè sospeso'', which translates to "suspended coffee".
+== Suspended meal ==
+A '''suspended meal''' is a form of charitable giving where a customer pays in advance for an extra meal or drink, which can later be claimed by someone in need. This practice is rooted in the tradition of [[suspended coffee]], which originated in [[Naples]], [[Italy]].
-==History==
+[[File:Pay it forward cafe sign.jpg|thumb|right|A sign in a café encouraging customers to pay it forward by purchasing a suspended meal.]]
-The tradition of the suspended meal dates back to the early 20th century in Naples. The practice began with the ''caffè sospeso'', where a customer would pay for two coffees but only consume one, leaving the other "suspended" for a less fortunate individual to claim later. This act of generosity became a symbol of community solidarity and has since spread to other parts of the world.
+=== History ===
+The concept of suspended meals is believed to have started in the early 20th century in Naples, where it was known as "caffè sospeso" or "suspended coffee." The idea was that a person could pay for two coffees, one for themselves and one for someone who could not afford it. This tradition has since expanded to include meals and has spread to various parts of the world.
-==Concept==
+=== Implementation ===
+In practice, a customer at a participating restaurant or café can choose to pay for an additional meal or drink, which is then recorded by the establishment. When someone in need comes in, they can ask if there are any suspended meals available and receive one without charge. This system relies on the honesty and goodwill of both the customers and the establishment.
-The concept of a suspended meal is simple: when a customer at a café or restaurant pays their bill, they also pay in advance for a meal or drink. This pre-paid item is then recorded by the establishment and can be claimed by someone in need at a later time. The identity of the donor and recipient remain anonymous, preserving the dignity of the recipient.
+=== Benefits ===
+The suspended meal system provides several benefits:
+* It allows individuals to help those in need in a direct and personal way.
+* It fosters a sense of community and solidarity.
+* It provides a dignified way for people in need to receive assistance without having to ask for charity directly.
-==Global Impact==
+=== Challenges ===
+While the concept of suspended meals is noble, it faces several challenges:
-The suspended meal concept has been adopted globally, with variations in different countries. In some places, tokens are given to donors, which can then be distributed to those in need. In others, a board or wall is used to display the number of suspended meals available. This practice not only provides food for those who cannot afford it but also fosters a sense of community and solidarity.
+* Ensuring that the meals reach those who truly need them.
+* Maintaining the integrity of the system to prevent abuse.
-==Criticism==
+* Encouraging more establishments to participate in the program.
-While the suspended meal system is generally seen as a positive initiative, it has faced some criticism. Some argue that it can be exploited by those who are not truly in need. Others suggest that it is a temporary solution that does not address the root causes of poverty and homelessness.
-==See Also==
+== Related pages ==
+* [[Suspended coffee]]
 * [[Pay it forward]]
-* [[Random act of kindness]]
+* [[Charitable giving]]
-* [[Charity (practice)]]
+* [[Community service]]
 [[Category:Charity]]
 [[Category:Food and drink]]
-[[Category:Social practices]]
-{{food-stub}}