Coffee with a cause: Brewing belonging at a Saskatchewan non-profit

For most of us, the day doesn’t really begin until the coffee’s been poured.

There’s something comforting in that first sip. The warmth in your hands, the smell that fills the kitchen.

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Now, imagine that same cup doing a little more good in the world — not just waking you up, but helping someone find purpose, pride and connection.

That’s exactly what’s happening at Light of the Prairies in Saskatoon, where a group of adults with intellectual disabilities are pouring their hearts into LOTP Coffee.

Marcus is one of the clients at Light of the Prairies who finds purpose through the coffee program. He communicates through sign language, and enthusiastically signs “coffee” as he works on grinding and packaging the beans. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Coffee with a cause

“Few things are more universal than coffee,” said Samantha Schneider, Community Engagement Co-ordinator at Light of the Prairies. “We all know how much coffee impacts your day.”

For decades, Light of the Prairies has been finding creative ways to support adults with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1988, the non-profit operates private homes and a day program where people can learn, work and connect.

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The idea to launch LOTP Coffee came from that same spirit of possibility: if coffee brings people together, why not use it to share their mission?

“When you see a bag of LOTP Coffee with our logo, it makes you ask questions,” Schneider said. “It makes you wonder who this organization is. And that’s such a good way to share our mission.”

LOTP Coffee beans are roasted in small batches once per month. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

From bean to bag

Each bag of LOTP Coffee goes through a careful, hands-on process — not in some far-off factory, but right inside the organization’s program space.

The clients are involved every step of the way after the roasting.

“They put the stickers on the bags, stamps on the bags, explained Nicole King, one of the direct support workers behind the unique program. “They weigh everything out, they grind everything, they seal them and they do all of the deliveries.”

Tasks like stamping and placing stickers on bags are great fine motor skill exercises! (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

It’s detailed work, requiring focus and teamwork.

“They have to be accurate,” King said. “They have to make sure they’re not over-scooping and spilling, and get the stickers straight. Sometimes it doesn’t work out so well, but that’s part of the fun.”

The joy, though, isn’t just in the process. It’s in the pride that fills the room with every bag sent out the door.

“You can tell that they’re really excited when they know that they’ve done a good job,” said Cheryl Hungness, another direct support worker. “They’ll do little dances, or clap their hands, and they’re just smiling ear to ear. They really, really enjoy it.”

The perfect blend

Each bag of coffee tells a story — literally. Matty, one of the people supported by Light of the Prairies, designed the packaging and the cast of cartoon coffee characters that appear on the labels.

“I used Procreate to create the bean and the faces,” Matty explained proudly. “The drawings are of the coffee bean, a spoon in the wheelchair, and a coffee cup.”

The LOTP Coffee logo was designed by Matty, one of the clients supported by Light of the Prairies. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

And when the artwork came to life, so did the soundtrack. His creativity didn’t stop at the drawings. Matty made a commercial featuring the bean belting out, “Look what you made me brew” — a line he sings proudly as the theme song for the coffee.

It’s a little ditty that says a lot. It’s playful and full of heart, just like the people behind LOTP Coffee.

Delivered with a smile

Every order of LOTP Coffee comes with something extra: a personal touch.

“If you order coffee, it’s going to be brought right to your door from one of our clients,” Schneider said. “Someone who was involved from beginning to end.”

One of those delivery people is Carter, who beams when he talks about the work.

Carter takes his responsibilities with the LOTP Coffee program very seriously! He is meticulous when it comes to weighing the packages of coffee. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

“We deliver to houses!” he said proudly. “We give it to people if they are home. We put them in the mailbox if they are not home.”

For Carter, the job is about more than just coffee. “It makes me excited,” he said. “Because I can share with everybody.”

More than a morning cup

These small batches of locally roasted coffee have a big mission.

Every cup of LOTP Coffee supports initiatives through Light of the Prairies that build skills, confidence and a sense of community for people with intellectual disabilities.

“The guys get really excited when it’s time to package and weigh. They love being involved,” Schneider said, reflecting on the impact the program has had on those who participate. “A few of the girls really enjoy the actual delivery process and getting out into the community. As the coffee program grows, we’re able to involve more of our clients.”

Light of the Prairies has been operating their coffee program for seven months, and it has already made an incredible difference in the lives of their clients. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

It’s a reminder that the things we do every day — even something as simple as pouring a cup of coffee — can ripple outward in ways we might not see.

“Do something that you’re doing anyway,” Schneider said. “Buying a cup of coffee, drinking a cup of coffee every day… Now you’re doing it for a cause.”

And that, in its own quiet way, is a beautiful way to start the morning.