St. Aidan and Hilda’s to Launch
By Joy Hunter
The Rev. Elizabeth Bumpas, who first envisioned St. Aidan and Hilda’s Mobile Coffee Pub, and her team have a dream—to pour Christ’s love out to the community, one cup of coffee at a time. The plan is for profits from the pub to be poured back into the community through outreach efforts to those suffering from food and housing insecurity, homelessness, mental illness, and addiction.
The team also envisions its patrons developing into a community of people who will partner together in various service projects. “We want to be a community of neighbors helping neighbors,” said Elizabeth, “embodying the teachings of Jesus.”
Originally, the team planned to purchase property and launch in a physical location, but the high cost of real estate forced them to pivot.
“Purchasing a coffee truck was much less expensive,” said Elizabeth. The 14 ft. trailer and all of the necessary equipment are now paid for. That said, funding partners are still needed – as are patrons and those ready to join in the venture.
Finding a Location
Current escalating fuel prices have the team looking for a semi-permanent location so they don’t have to move the trailer often and customers will know where to find them.
Learning to drive the oversized trailer has posed some challenges, but Elizabeth is pulling it off (yes, pun intended). She drove from her apartment on John’s Island, where the trailer is currently parked, to Charleston for an October 2 fire inspection. “I want to thank Assistant Fire Marshall Derek Carr for making the process so easy and fast,” said Elizabeth.
Insurance has been secured. The last piece of the puzzle, prior to opening completely, is location. “We just need to find the right spot,” said Elizabeth. “We’re looking at a few places, but don’t have anything settled yet. If anyone knows of a place in a high traffic area that would be willing to have us, please let me know.”
On October 17 they served coffee for St. James’ Fall Bazaar and on October 25 set up and served coffee in the parking lot of the Church of Our Saviour, Johns Island, following their services.
“You can pray for me as I continue to learn how to drive the trailer,” said Elizabeth, “and that we find the right location, but even more that others would catch the vision and join with our team in truly loving our neighbors.
There are still questions left unanswered, yes, but Elizabeth is more hopeful than concerned. “I’m trying to give up my expectations for how Christ will use this,” she said. “The one thing I know is that we are called to love our neighbors.”
For the unanswered questions, Elizabeth repeats, “Love is the answer.”
Update: Aidan & Hilda’s Has Found a Permanent Location!
Aidan & Hilda’s Mobile Coffee Pub has officially found a home! Beginning October 26, the coffee trailer will be serving customers in the American Legion parking lot at 968 Folly Road on James Island. The pub will be open Monday through Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by for a cup of coffee, meet the team, and support their mission of loving neighbors, one cup of coffee at a time!
Aidan & Hilda’s Coffee Pub is looking for partners. They are a recognized public charity in South Carolina and have received 501(c)(3) non-profit status from the IRS. To keep their non-profit status, 1/3 of their annual income must come from donations, not coffee sales. All gifts are fully tax-deductible and 100% of it will go back into the community. To give visit: https://aidanandhildas.com/
Who are Aidan and Hilda?
Aidan was an Irish monk sent to Northumbria in England in 635 AD to plant the seeds of the faith. Others had gone before him but had failed to win the hearts of the people because they had seen their mission primarily as getting people into church. Aidan was different. He understood that love is central to reaching people. He went out into the community to meet and serve them. He was kind and compassionate and is remembered for his humble, relational approach to mission.
Hilda, one of Aidan’s students, founded Whitby Abbey, a center of learning and spiritual formation for both men and women. She was known for her wisdom and gift of peacemaking, and she helped raise up the next generation of leaders in Aidan’s spirit.
Perhaps returning to Jesus’ way of mission as modeled by St Aidan and St Hilda-is more important than ever. That’s why we’ve named the coffee pub in their honor. They’re our patron saints.
