Credit: PHOTO VIA INSTAGRAM
The baristas at the Nervous Dog Coffee Bar in Stow can school us all in the true meaning of holiday spirit.

When security cameras caught a man stealing from the tip jar, the staff took a moment to consider his motivation. Manager Scott Moses figures that if the man was “desperate enough to steal tips, he’s probably in desperate times.” With that in mind, the Nervous Dog staff in both Stow and Akron have started a food drive for the man in place of pressing charges. 

If the man from the video comes forward, the Nervous Dog will happily hand over the boxes of food that they have collected so far. The baristas plan to give the food to the Akron/Canton Food Bank if the man doesn’t come in to claim it. 

The Nervous Dog posted their generous intentions on Facebook, where they were met with criticism for rewarding a thief. The economy isn’t doing anyone any favors right now, and making ends meet is difficult for many people across the country. Cash is especially tight around this time of year, with so many extra expenses like gifts. Resorting to thievery is certainly a sign of desperation, and forgiveness seems more do-able, and logical, with a little dose of holiday spirit.

While the baristas of the Nervous Dog’s actions are certainly commendable, are they also misplaced? Would you take pity on the thief or see him brought to justice?  

Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Cecily Rus joined Scene as a blogging intern in September 2013. She is a recent graduate of Colgate University, where she majored in English/Creative Writing. She has previously interned at Scene Magazine in Boston. Her interests include traveling, cheeseburgers and Game of Thrones. Cecily is a Lakewood native and an aspiring editor.

5 replies on “Baristas in Stow Organize Food Drive for Thief Who Stole Tips”

  1. I don’t know if it’s still politically correct to mention Christianity….but it is a Christian thing to do.

  2. Its Christ in Christmas . It is human to want justice and un-natural to forgive . Without the spiritual understanding of Christmas there is no way one can understand the Godly act of forgiveness which is the reason for the season !

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