Supporting students together: Coffee Day at SFU

Last week I made my way to SFU's Renaissance Coffee for a meaningful cause: Coffee Day for Students on November 1.

Coffee Day is an initiative where proceeds from purchases go directly to the Parminder and Kamaljit Parhar Endowment fund, providing SFU students with vital awards and bursaries, and ensuring their educational dreams become a reality.

Many of you have probably seen Parminder serving up delicious coffee and food on Burnaby campus, where he and his wife Kamaljit have been providing a place for people to connect since opening a small kiosk here in 1996. They were motivated to give back to students, having seen directly how big a difference a little kindness and compassion can make in students’ lives.

 “I have seen firsthand how students struggle—not just financially, but with stress and anxiety,” Parminder shares. “It is so difficult to keep going. But I’ve also seen the confidence students gain from someone believing in them. When someone believes in you, it’s the most powerful thing in the world!”

It’s truly inspiring to see donors like Parminder committed to not only supporting SFU students through their own giving, but to inviting everyone in our community to take part.

As Parminder puts it, “If a little coffee guy like me can do it, anyone can!"

Cheers to Parminder and everyone at Renaissance Coffee for working so thoughtfully to bring people together in support of SFU students!