Launch of One Cup Initiative in Newry

Salvation Army Launches ‘ONE CUP’ Initiative in Newry

The Salvation Army in Newry have launched their new campaign to aid the homeless in the City. The Initiative known as, ‘One Cup’ will give an opportunity for citizens of the district who wish to help those less fortunate by purchasing an extra drink, snack or meal when visiting a participating venue, that can later be collected by those that need it the most.

The initiative which is popularly known in America as ‘Suspended Coffee’ was introduced in Newry the local church minister of The Salvation Army, Major John Parrott as a response to the unfortunate recent deaths of members of the homeless community in Belfast. A wide range of further help and resources will be made available to homeless from the Margaret Street Community Drop-in including toiletries, hot drinks, snacks, socks, jocks, a listening ear and appropriate signposting to other local services.

A number of local establishments have been approached to take part in the campaign with a large number extremely keen to help this great cause. Participating venues include Retro Café Hill Street, Coffee Tin, Grounded Coffee Bar, Finnegan and Sons Kildare Street, Salvation Army Margaret Street and two other venues declining open publicity but displaying the green ‘ONE Cup’ venue logo. As the campaign grows it is expected that they will obtain support from many more venues throughout the district to support the homeless community.                                                                                                              

Newry, Mourne and Down District Chairperson, Councillor Mickey Ruane visited one of the many participating venues, Retro Café, on Monday 25 April to support and help launch the initiative and explained, “This is a fantastic opportunity for the citizens of Newry, Mourne and Down District to come together to help those in a time of need. The ‘One Cup’ campaign is a great initiative that I would encourage everyone in the City of Newry and the wider district area to get actively involved in.”

Major Parrott from the Salvation Army explained, “We have had reports of people sleeping in the large industrial dustbins, in tunnels, around shopping venues and in Public Areas. We recently came across one man who has been sleeping rough for the last year. The first step in the response came in the form of launching a scheme offering practical assistance to homeless people in the area. The concept was to offer a facility from which homeless people could obtain hot drinks, pasta meals, blankets, sleeping bags some warmth and friendship where otherwise there may be none. The hub of the operation is in the Community Drop-in Centre on Margaret St. Newry.”

While there are no bed spaces available through the service, the teams are committed to building relationships with these individuals, confidentially mapping locations, and providing and on-going support service to these vulnerable people.

Members of the community can help The Salvation Army by supporting the participating ‘One Cup’ venues or by donating sleeping bags, blankets, warm hats, toiletries and a whole range of material goods.

Further details of required donations can be obtained from The Way by telephone on 028 3026 3537, through Facebook or by email on newry@salvationarmy.org.uk