Young people today are actively searching for a place to go and for someone who will listen. CUPS is a connecting place where teenagers, young adults, and families can expect to find coffee, comfort, conversation, and so much more. Sadly, many of them will never darken the doors of the Church to find the kind of love, acceptance, and friendships they so desperately desire and need. However, they will walk into a café or coffeehouse. CUPS / CAFE is a place where young people can go to find someone who will listen. If you’re hungry, stop in for free cup of soup. If you’re thirsty, drop in for a cup of coffee on the house. If you just need to talk, we’re here to listen.
In this way, CUPS / CAFE is a mercy ministry of the Church. It’s really the Church in action.
So what does this look like and how does it work? Well...
CUPS/ CAFE is a free, non-profit 501 c3 community cafe existing to connect the physical, spiritual, mental, and social needs of young people and families to free resources in the community and to Jesus Christ and His Church. The cafe does not charge for its products and services. Everything is given away freely. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment for young people ages 12 – 25 but all are welcome at the café. Children ages 11 and younger are welcome too. In fact, we want them there, but we do ask that they be accompanied by an adult (18 yrs or older).
CUPS / CAFÉ exists to meet the physical needs of guests by freely feeding the hungry. We freely serve coffee, specialty coffee drinks (mocha, cappuccino, latte’s, etc.), tea, hot chocolate, kool-aid, un-sweet and sweet tea, milk, and juice. We freely serve hot soups, chicken, tuna, and egg salad sandwiches, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, cereal, bagels, popcorn, donuts, pastries, cookies, muffins, and so much more. The organization also freely distributes breads & canned goods from our pantry. All these products are donated by local bakery shops, grocery stores, farmers, and individuals.
CUPS / CAFÉ exists to meet their spiritual needs by loving, sharing, and serving our guests in Jesus’ name. The shifts at CUPS are run by volunteers. The volunteers pray for and with guests. They freely distribute Bibles and books to help guests in their spiritual journey with God. They invite them to local churches and church events. CUPS / CAFÉ also offers live music throughout the year. Our live music is provided freely. We do not pay musicians to play or charge guests for admission.
CUPS / CAFÉ exists to meet their mental needs by freely offering help with homework, playing games like chess, checkers, scrabble, etc. The organization offers special craft nights & programs throughout the year to engage guests in thought provoking conversation and too stimulate creative and logical thinking.
CUPS / CAFÉ exists to meet their social needs by freely connecting the needs of our patrons with available resources in the community. The organization helps connect jobless guests with job opportunities, homeless guests with housing within the community, hungry guests with other local food banks or pantries, guests needing counseling with professional counselors. We'll do our best to connect the needs of our guests with local resources and organizations that may be able to further assist their needs.
The cafe also works to meet the social needs of the Medina community by offering an opportunity for those on probation through the Medina Municipal Court and the Medina County Court system to fulfill any required community service hours by serving at cafe. Our community service helpers are expected to serve the hungry and clean and maintain café property. After their hours are completed, leaders in the organization sit down with them to fill out an exit interview to assist and guide them in their life decisions.
CUPS / CAFE relies on special one-time financial gifts and monthly donations of individuals, businesses, organizations, and churches to fund its operating expenses. Our supporters are able to make a financial contribution through the mail, by setting up Direct Bill Pay through their local bank, or by dropping a contribution in the donation box at the cafe.