(K-LOVE Chicago) —Coffee is served hot and with a purpose in the Chicago area.
At age 19, Peter Thomas’ fascination of entrepreneurship and a good brew, led him to open Pilot Pete’s Coffee & Treats.
The shop quickly became more than an entrepreneurial endeavor.
Peter set out to hold donation drives to the city’s most vulnerable—the homeless community.
After seeing a great need for those living on the streets to stay warm, he took matters into his own hands and became a coffee house with many purposes.
“I’m using coffee as our tool to push and motivate people to sort beyond their expectations, hopefully fuel and ignite people to spread the good and do the same,” Peter says.
His servant’s heart started at a very young age after watching his grandmother, June, show kindness and compassion to others who needed it most. Peter says his coat drive is a way to honor her legacy.
“I wanted to find something to kind of keep her (memory) alive and keep her remembered,” he adds.
Collectively, Peter has received thousands of donations that are given out to the homeless community. Supplies such as coats, socks, undergarments, and even propane gas is being brought in weekly.
Once donations are brought in, community members rally together to volunteer their time and distribute these donations throughout the city. Peter even takes this mission a step further as he regularly hands out donations himself at local homelessness centers and camping sites.
Every year, Peter and his volunteers transform a 26-foot truck into a “Coat Café” to give many the opportunity to shop for what they need as well as keep warm with some hot coffee.
While being on the front lines, he noticed something striking.
Peter says the homeless community has been very humble and appreciative throughout each drive.
“It's kind of funny because the homeless community, there's some of the most humble people I've ever met. We will come down with a truck full of 400 coats. We'll be like, take one and take two, take whatever you need. Take some blankets and comforters and they'll just take one coat. No, there's more people that need them. People need them more than I do. No, you need them.”
For those looking to help in the Chicago area, visit their Facebook page. If you are outside of Illinois and would like to help, Peter is always accepting monetary donations through Venmo (@coffeewithapurpose) to uphold storage unit costs.