With the holidays approaching, one Seattle based organization is spreading the Christmas cheer early this year via instant coffee.
Beginning September 29 some Starbucks stores in Seattle began donating their Via instant coffee to people in need such as busy teachers, homeless shelters, fire fighters and the troops overseas. With the donations of left over pasties already in place to those in need in most stores, it was easy to add them to the “care package,” said one downtown Starbucks barista.
“I remember last winter with all the snow and they would come in asking for hot water,” she said, “this way, they get coffee with their hot water.”
However, donations to the Northwest Harvest and other local homeless shelters are not the only way Starbucks is attempting to reach out to the surrounding communities. Some stores are sending packets of Via overseas to the troops who are waiting to come home.
“Yeah, you can even write them messages,” said one in-store barista in Seatac.
Teachers are another focus of donations. Some are so busy that they can’t leave to classroom to take a quick coffee break. Depending on the age group of the kids, it’s tiring work and a cup of coffee is always well received, according to one neighborhood store.
In the spirit of good holiday cheer, most customers who come into the various stores participating in the drive are more than willing to drop the few extra bucks to make a small impact in another’s life.
“I’m glad we’re donating it instead of just making money,” said one neighborhood barista.
The drive was a district idea that staff leaders in the stores brought back to their teams. Not all Starbucks stores are participating, but those who are say that customers are eager to share with those in need.
“Some customers are unwilling to buy the Via for themselves, but are willing to buy it for others,” said a downtown barista.
The stores are setting up word boards and baskets to draw the customers’ attention to the drive. Some stores have set up more than one basket in order to give a variety of benefactors for the customer to choose from.
“Sometimes it can make the difference between a bad day and a good day,” said a downtown barista.
Beginning September 29 some Starbucks stores in Seattle began donating their Via instant coffee to people in need such as busy teachers, homeless shelters, fire fighters and the troops overseas. With the donations of left over pasties already in place to those in need in most stores, it was easy to add them to the “care package,” said one downtown Starbucks barista.
“I remember last winter with all the snow and they would come in asking for hot water,” she said, “this way, they get coffee with their hot water.”
However, donations to the Northwest Harvest and other local homeless shelters are not the only way Starbucks is attempting to reach out to the surrounding communities. Some stores are sending packets of Via overseas to the troops who are waiting to come home.
“Yeah, you can even write them messages,” said one in-store barista in Seatac.
Teachers are another focus of donations. Some are so busy that they can’t leave to classroom to take a quick coffee break. Depending on the age group of the kids, it’s tiring work and a cup of coffee is always well received, according to one neighborhood store.
In the spirit of good holiday cheer, most customers who come into the various stores participating in the drive are more than willing to drop the few extra bucks to make a small impact in another’s life.
“I’m glad we’re donating it instead of just making money,” said one neighborhood barista.
The drive was a district idea that staff leaders in the stores brought back to their teams. Not all Starbucks stores are participating, but those who are say that customers are eager to share with those in need.
“Some customers are unwilling to buy the Via for themselves, but are willing to buy it for others,” said a downtown barista.
The stores are setting up word boards and baskets to draw the customers’ attention to the drive. Some stores have set up more than one basket in order to give a variety of benefactors for the customer to choose from.
“Sometimes it can make the difference between a bad day and a good day,” said a downtown barista.
