If you are looking for a great cup of coffee with a side of charity, make your way to The Fire Escape.

The new cafe, situated at 312 Delaware Ave. in Palmerton, is the brainchild of a group of community-minded locals looking to make a difference in their own backyard, offering support for the hungry, homeless and addicted.

“Most of us were from the same church,” Pastor Mike Coulson of People’s E.C. Church in Lehighton, a member of the founding group, said. “We had this idea, we wanted to create a business in our area for Christian ministries.”

A cafe seemed like a great choice, as it could serve as a natural meeting place for people of all walks of life and faith.

Coulson and the board members researched operations in other countries, where Christian ministry efforts were funded by jointly owned businesses, such as recycling centers or flower shops. The group sent out letters of interest to about 60 local churches, and around a dozen responded that they would join the effort.

“We did fundraisers for about two years before we could take that leap of faith and take out a loan,” Coulson said.

As luck would have it, the landlord in charge of the Delaware Avenue storefront that had been the Simply Something Cafe loved the idea, and offered Coulson and the board the space. Since it was previously zoned as a restaurant, the group ended up saving some time and money.

Now, all they needed was a great name.

“What we were looking for was something that sounded cool and edgy, but something that gave a hint at what we’re aiming for,” Coulson said. “We believe that through our faith and Christ, we don’t have to suffer the punishment that we rightfully deserve. He has paid for our sins on the cross.”

The cafe’s logo, featuring a phoenix rising from a mug, serves as a representation of that idea.

Currently, The Fire Escape employs about a dozen paid workers, though volunteers often pitch in.

“It’s the first job I’ve ever had, and I really like it,” barista Sarah Strahan said. “People are really nice. When we get swamped, I get stressed, but people are super patient. They have been very generous. The people here that I work with, and the people who come in, I love it all.”

Giving back

After recouping expenditures for supplies, bills and employee wages, the remaining cash goes to those in need. The board has already established relationships with groups such as Peaceful Knights and Family Promise, though any organization is welcome to request help. Funds are distributed based on need and availability.

The current board members, including Coulson, Pam Lesher, Kristina Frantz, Laura Gildner, Deb Cintron, Linda Miller and Glenn Reinert, all work tirelessly to keep the mission alive, though the cafe operates autonomously.

Along with cash contributions, The Fire Escape has been trying out some unique approaches to charity. A giving tree in the cafe featured a sign encouraging customers to donate a hat or pair of gloves to help those in need. Miller said that she welcomes anyone to take what they need from the tree, but donations have exceeded withdraws. They plan to donate the necessities to St. Peter’s Resource Center sometime soon.

“We have our community center board and table, it shows all the churches, all the food banks, all the clothing ministries,” Miller, who serves as general manager, said. “They come to us, and we help the organizations that help individual people.”

It’s these little acts of generosity that seem to inspire others to help out as well.

“People I find are basically generous,” Miller said. “When you give them a little something, they’re even more generous. A woman came in one day, and she said, ‘I’d like to give you $10 to buy as many small coffees as you can, and put tickets on the tree.’ So I rang up six small coffees, and put them up on the tree. I think we just used the last one yesterday, and that was done around Christmastime.”

A community center

The cafe is blossoming into a community epicenter thanks to its welcoming atmosphere. Group meetings and concerts featuring local talent are common, and the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly meeting there just this week.

“People come in and hang out for hours. They get a little something to eat, something to drink, and they’ll stay very comfortably for hours,” Miller said.

Business tends to boom when special events like concerts and group meetings are held at the cafe. Shows are already lined up for February and March, and customers routinely congregate there for their own forums.

Margaret Allen has become a regular, stopping in about nine times since the opening, and it’s not just the coffee and food that draws her in.

“I come here for Bible study on Tuesday morning,” Allen said. “I come here not only for the food, which I love, but there’s other things to do here. What I really like about it is that all the proceeds go to charity. It’s a great feeling to know that your money is going to help someone. It’s a really nice place to be.”

In fact, she brought her friend, Annette Tenisci, out for lunch on her birthday, and it seems to have been a great choice.

“This is my first time in here, and I love it,” Tenisci said. “The people are extremely friendly. I think the drinks are outrageously good. I got a peaches and cream smoothie, and I love it.”

Food and brews

Of course, if you’re stopping in at The Fire Escape, you have to grab a cup of joe and a bite to eat.

And when it comes to a hearty meal, they have so much more to offer than bagels and breakfast sandwiches.

“People really enjoy our Ranch Hand Sandwich,” Miller said. “It’s a grilled pepperjack cheese on Texas toast, with bacon, ham. barbecue sauce, and onion. That is our biggest-selling sandwich.”

Other options in the gourmet grilled cheese category include the Heavenly Caprese, with mozzarella, tomato slices, and pesto on sourdough bread, and the Jamwich, featuring turkey and smoked Gouda with a dab of raspberry maple jam.

As for beverages, Miller said that customers seem to love the macchiatos and any of the four roasted drip coffees, though smoothies are a popular option as well.

Looking to the future, Miller and the other board members are hoping to drive up foot traffic to increase contributions. With the increase in concerts, group gatherings and various civic meetings that are being held in the charitable cafe, things are looking up.