Coffee with a cause

Despite the existence of more than 30 coffee shops in downtown Bloomington, one cafe in particular stands out for something different.

The Pourhouse Cafe on Kirkwood donates absolutely all profit and tips to charity organizations around the world.

Pourhouse employee Kayla Vickers said the coffeehouse started as the idea of John Robertson, a minister at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church. She said he wanted to create something nonprofit that would bring students and the community together in a place where they could feel welcome and comfortable.

But the Pourhouse has touched countless people outside of Bloomington and Indiana – every penny the cafe makes, minus the cost of keeping the place running, aids under-privileged people around the world.

The Pourhouse changes charities about every four months, Vicker said, and has most recently contributed to Nyaka AIDS Orphans School in Uganda, Agua Viva Children’s Home in Guatemala and North India Christian Mission, as well as donating toward local food relief, backpacks and school supplies for those in need.

Customers agree that the charity aspect of the Pourhouse is remarkable, but it seems most people find something different that keeps them coming back.

“The coffee is good, and the ambiance here is nice,” Pourhouse regular Tom Beauchamp said. “It’s a nice place. And the prices are good.”

Beauchamp said the Pourhouse is a perfect example of how making a small difference every day can add up and change lives.

Another customer and fan of the Pourhouse is Mel Hughes, who said what keeps him coming in is the “location and the friendly people that run the place.”

“They honestly make you feel like they want you to come in,” he said.

Hughes said he thinks the people who work at the Pourhouse are very special.

He said he appreciates the fact that employees are willing to work in a coffee shop that gives away tips to people in need because he realizes that students especially can always use the extra money.

He said this speaks volumes about their character.

This month when you buy a cup of coffee, a portion of that money will go toward purchasing medication and supplies for medical, dental and optometry clinics on the outskirts of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

“We’re really friendly here, and everyone should come in and try a cup of coffee,” Vickers said with a smile.