By Katie Tabeling Staff Writer

(Oct. 12, 2017) Baked Desert Café in Berlin and Uber Bagels & Deli in Ocean City will offer customers a free coffee next week, courtesy of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. “We’re very excited that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation has been named a ‘Top Workplace’ six years in a row, and we’re ‘paying it forward’ with a token of our appreciation – free coffee,” Elaine Bittner, Senior Vice President of Strategic Development of Chesapeake Utilities, said. Starting on Oct. 16, customers can get a medium house-blend coffee, on the house. Although 19 other businesses are partnering with Chesapeake Utilities that week, Baked and Uber Bagels are the only ones offering the giveaway in Worcester County. “Pay it Forward” week is to thank customers and employees for helping Chesapeake Utilities retain its Top Workplace title. The program, run by WorkplaceDynamics in Exton, Pennsylvania, recognizes good employers on 30 regional lists and one national list. Designations are based on employee opinions through a survey. Bittner said Chesapeake Utilities started paying it forward in 2014 as a way to keep true to the community. “The idea of ‘pay it forward’ resonates with our culture of caring employees and their desire to find new ways to give back to communities where we live and serve,” she said. It’s also a way to partner with local businesses, such as Baked owner Robin Tomaselli and Uber Bagels owner John Nosher. “It’s the support of the people we serve that allows us to turn aspirations into reality and empower each other to do our best work,” Bittner said. “Coffee helps too.” Those that stop in Baked and Uber Bagels for that free cup can also get a “pay it forward” card that lists all the coffeehouses that are working with Chesapeake Utilities. Bittner said the cards aren’t necessary to get free coffee, but helps spread the word. “Passing along a card to someone – even a stranger – is an easy way to pay it forward by letting someone know where to get free coffee,” she said. Both Rise Up locations in Salisbury and Main Roots Coffee are participating in Pay it Forward week, as well as other locations in Ohio and Delaware. Pay it Forward week runs from Oct. 16-22 from 7-10 a.m. at Baked Desert Café on Bay Street in Berlin or Uber Bagels & Deli on 126th Street in Ocean City.