This GoFundMe is to help Vito’s Espresso, a small, family-run coffee shop owned by Vic and Linda Schiro, stay open during a difficult financial season. They’ve built more than a business, they’ve created a place of kindness, faith, and community. Rising costs have made it hard to keep up with rent, and they need support to continue serving the people they’ve cared for so faithfully.

I’m writing this not just as an employee, but as someone who has been deeply impacted by Vic, Linda, and the community they’ve created here at Vito’s Espresso. Working here has been different from any other job I’ve had. This isn’t just a place focused on selling coffee, it’s a place where people are treated with dignity, patience, and care. I’ve personally watched Vic and Linda take time to really listen to customers, check in on employees, and create an atmosphere where people feel known and welcomed. Their Christian faith shapes how they run the shop. It shows up not just in what they say, but in how they live–through generosity, humility, and a commitment to doing what’s right, even when it’s difficult.

Right now, they’re facing a very real challenge. Like many small businesses, rising costs have made it difficult to keep up with rent and basic expenses. Despite working long hours and making personal sacrifices, they’re at a point where they need help to keep the doors open. This is not something they would ever ask for on their own, but I’ve seen firsthand how much they’ve given to employees, customers, and the broader community, and I believe this is a moment where that care can come back to them. If Vito’s Espresso closes, it won’t just be the loss of a coffee shop, it will be the loss of a place where people have found connection, encouragement, and a sense of peace in the middle of their day. It wouldn't just be a loss for the regulars and the new faces, it would be a loss for me too.

If you feel led to give, any amount would mean more than you know. And if you’re not able to donate, sharing this page would still make a real difference. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for supporting people who have spent so much of their lives supporting others.