By Carol Ann Gregg
Allied News Staff Writer
What would people in Grove City do if challenged with the principles of “Pay It Forward”?
The 2000 film is about a boy who is given an assignment by his sociology teacher to do something to make the world a better place. The story line shows that if each person performed an act of kindness for three people and asked those three people to do something for three more people, the ripple effect would be immense.
At Beans on Broad, formerly the Coffee Grove on South Broad Street, an experiment in keeping with the movie transpired.
Barista Ryan Bibza at the coffee shop found himself in conversation with a regular customer about the movie and their contemplation as to how people would react if they were the recipient of “Pay It Forward.”
“This anonymous customer gave me $10 and I was to tell people as they prepared to pay for their drink or whatever, that it had been paid for,” Bibza said. “We were going to take to heart to see what would happen.”
The customer took a seat where he could watch the counter. So the experiment began.
After people placed their orders and were preparing to pay, Bibza would tell them that someone had already paid for their order.
“I loved watching the expressions on their faces,” he said. Some didn’t want to accept the gift. “I would tell them that it was already paid for.” Some smiled and said thank you. Everyone was encouraged to “Pay It Forward” as they went through their day.
“Some would have their money out and say I’ll pay for the person behind me,” he said. “One college student handed me a $10 for his $3 drink that he received free. That meant we could ‘Pay It Forward’ longer.”
Beginning at about 11 a.m., the original $10 grew to $27; and what could have been a 10-minute to half-hour experiment continued for three and a half hours.
Every person that experienced having their order paid for, left the coffee shop with a smile. “It brightened everybody’s day,” Bibza said. “They left feeling like they had received a gift.”
“I had fun telling them about their gift and seeing their faces. They couldn’t thank the person who gave it to them. They had to ‘Pay it Forward’ as their thank-you.”
“People don’t just come to a coffee shop for the coffee, but for the positive atmosphere,” he said. “When they leave they have a certain energy to carry them through their day.”
Bibza and his customer will never know what additional kindnesses happened in Grove City that day.
The original customer was not identified so that no one who participated in paying it forward would be able to thank him for his kindness. He was repaid multiple times as each customer paid it forward in their own way. Story published Dec. 26, 2009 in Allied News. Pick up a copy at 201A Erie St., Grove City.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Coffee shop customers learn to ‘pay it forward’
Spirit of season isn’t limited to one day a year
- Local News
-
-
It's time to prepare - Mercer Memorial Day 500
Dominick Veverka, son of Doug and Tammy Veverka of Mercer, is the nephew of Staff Sgt. David Veverka, who was killed in action in Kiwaniyah, Iraq, in 2006. Preparations for this year's Mercer Memorial Day 500, set for 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 28, include the hanging of Killed-in-Action banners at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the posting of 500 flags at 9 a.m. May 26 and the decoration of the Mercer County Liberty Tree that morning at 10. Info: www.mercermemorialday500.org; call 724-662-2786; email parade500@me.com
Published May 9, 2012, in Allied News. Pick up a copy at 201 A Erie St., Grove City. -
Unique GCHS reunion set for June 16
With his strong Southern drawl, Tim Bannon doesn't sound like a Grove City native.
However, the Tennessee transplant is organizing a unique reunion for any Grove City Area High School graduate next month - simply because he misses home. -
What will happen to Har-Mer school?
The committee charged with collecting information about Har-Mer Elementary School in Slippery Rock Area School District is ready to put the building's future in the board's hands.
-
Record Day of Caring
The Grove City United Way saw the largest number of volunteers for Day of Caring service projects on Saturday.
-
Swabbing for stem cells
-
Art show highlights new GC gardens
Elementary kids in Grove City adopted Grove City Community Gardens to highlight at their spring art show, and were given a unique garden of their own by a local sculptor.
-
Walmart paperwork deadline extended
Springfield Township supervisors have agreed to extend the letter of credit and highway occupancy permit for the proposed Walmart Supercenter, but they still don't know when the store might be built.
-
Civil Air Patrol aims high
Relatives of Civil Air Patrol Lt. Nichole McCandless beamed as the 22-year-old directed a group of cadets during the organization's recent open house, where visitors learned the numerous opportunities offered to the young adults.
-
Something to crow about
A 12-year-old Grove City boy's knowledge and amiable personality may win him his heart's desire - a coop full of city-slicker chickens.
-
Mercer teen's wish makes difference for Houston pets
It didn't take long for Mikayla Thompson to figure how she wanted to fulfill her Make-A-Wish request.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman
Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
