Over the past 40 years, Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) has committed to inspiring and investing in community action around the world, empowering partners (employees) and customers to personalize their involvement. Throughout the month of April, Starbucks celebrates its commitment to community by hosting the company’s second annual Global Month of Service as well as launching a new Community Card: Vote.Give.Grow. program. Through the Vote.Give.Grow. program, The Starbucks Foundation is investing $4 million dollars into local U.S. communities through grants to more than 120 nonprofits operating in these neighborhoods. Starbucks is inviting its partners and customers to help direct this funding by voting on local nonprofits in their community throughout the month of April.
The Global Month of Service celebrates the community service exhibited by partners (employees) and customers all year long. Whether it’s planting community gardens, supporting youth programs or rebuilding homes in underserved areas, throughout April all Starbucks partners and customers around the globe are invited to participate in community service projects designed to address the unique needs of local neighborhoods in the 58 countries where Starbucks does business.
“Starbucks has stores across six continents and we are committed to using this scale for good,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo of Starbucks Coffee Company. “We live our mission and values by providing exceptional customer service inside our stores, and by joining with our customers and local community organizations in serving our neighborhoods outside our stores.”
“We applaud all that Starbucks is doing to play a vital role in rebuilding communities like Crenshaw. Starbucks is taking the lead in very tough economic times, and our hope is that other companies replicate and join in these efforts,” said Blair H. Taylor, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League. “Companies like Starbucks help make our good work possible by fully recognizing the need for collaboration between the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. This 21st Century alliance makes tremendous sense, especially given the economic hardships our country is facing right now. The Los Angeles Urban League is fundamentally committed to transforming communities through our holistic model, Neighborhoods@Work, and by working together we know that we can increase the good we’re able to do through service to and financial support for these communities.”
“Oasis is about delivering holistic life changing work with young people, families and communities. We are delighted to be working with Starbucks for the second consecutive year,” said Steve Chalke, Oasis Founder, UK. “Starbucks support in improving our community spaces and running workshops for our young people will have a real impact on our Enfield community. Their work with us will help foster community spirit and open new opportunities and aspirations for our young people.”
“Our mission at Motor City Blight Busters is to stabilize and revitalize Detroit neighborhoods,” said John J. George, founder and president of Motor City Blight Busters. “Working with companies like Starbucks that are also committed to helping support the communities where they do business is vital to the success we’re able to achieve. This April, working with Starbucks and other companies and organizations we’ll be able to help rebuild houses, start urban gardens and otherwise provide vital services to underserved Detroit communities. We look forward to continuing our work together to drive positive change in Detroit during the month of April, and throughout the year.”
Helping Communities Thrive
Just as there are thousands of ways to personalize your beverage at Starbucks stores, Starbucks personalizes service opportunities and community investments around the world to help address the unique needs of the local neighborhoods where the company does business. Whether Vote.Give.Grow., Global Month of Service, or other community-focused initiatives, the company is focused on offering programs that give people the opportunity to take an active role in helping their community thrive.
In the U.S., Starbucks Community Card: Vote.Give.Grow. program gives any registered Starbucks My Starbucks Rewards card member the opportunity to help direct $4 million in funding from the Starbucks Foundation to 124 local community and national nonprofit organizations across the country. Registered Starbucks Card members can cast their votes online each week throughout the month. At the end of April, the $4 million will be distributed based upon the number of votes each organization receives, but every designated nonprofit will receive a portion of the funding so that they can continue to help their communities with important programs. Customers should visit votegivegrow.com to register their card and vote for the selected NGOs in their community.
The Global Month of Service will amplify Starbucks commitment to community service, setting the stage for sustained engagement in communities, and demonstrating how the company is making a local impact on a global scale. This month, Starbucks partners are leading community service events around the world, giving back to the neighborhoods that Starbucks serves. During the week of April 23, Starbucks will also recognize and thank everyone who participated by spotlighting the positive impact made around the world. During Starbucks first Global Month of Service in 2011, nearly 60,000 volunteers participated from across 30 countries on four continents – resulting in more than 155,000 hours of community service. The company invites people in the U.S. and Canada to sign up for projects in their area at community.starbucks.com.
Visit Starbucks.com/responsibility/community to learn more about the company’s programs designed to help communities thrive. To register and vote through the Community Card: Vote.Give.Grow. program, visit votegivegrow.com. For more information about this year’s Global Month of Service and to register for service projects in your community, visit community.starbucks.com in the U.S. and Canada and Starbucks.com/CommunityService outside of North America.
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.
