Community Coffee’s commitment to giving back is all in its name. When Cap Saurage started the company in 1919, he named it out of appreciation for his local community and customers.
Because of that heritage, service to our local communities is ingrained, says Jodi Conachen, general manager of communications. “It’s really part of our DNA,” she said. “As a family-owned and -operated company, the local communities we serve are a part of our success and we want to be part of theirs.”
A Cup of Normalcy
When record-smashing flooding hit south Louisiana in August, Community Coffee was there.
“We understand that a cup of Community coffee can go a long way to help people feel a sense of normalcy,” said David Belanger, president and CEO. “We want to ensure our neighbors and first-responders have the State Coffee of Louisiana to support their flood-response and rebuilding efforts. Community Coffee served 300,000 cups of coffee at shelters and to first-responders during the flooding.”
And it’s going to keep giving. From Sept. 12 to Oct. 2, the company will donate to flood relief efforts through the Salvation Army by sharing 10 percent of the proceeds, up to $100,000, from the sale of select items. Any 16-ounce firm pack of Community coffee from retail grocery locations in Louisiana and Mississippi is eligible, as are 20- and 24-ounce Community cups of coffee bought in convenience stores in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, the Northshore, New Orleans, Alexandria, Houma and Lake Charles markets.
From Textbooks to Combat Boots
Community Coffee’s support isn’t limited to natural disasters in its home state.
For the past 27 years, it has supported education through its Community Cash for Schools program. The company has provided nearly $8 million for textbooks, computers, playground equipment and more.
It also has sent 4.2 million cups of coffee to U.S. military personnel stationed around the globe. For each Military Match set — four 12-ounce, 16-ounce or 18-count K-Cup coffees — Community Coffee will match it and send all eight coffees plus a signature mug to the APO/FPO or military base address provided.
“Supporting those that serve our country by just letting them know that someone cares is very impactful and it provides such a benefit to the friends and family of our servicemen and servicewomen by providing them the opportunity to provide care packages to their loved ones,” Conachen said, calling it her favorite program. “I especially love that we include the custom cards from our employees and customers. When we get thank-you notes for the Military Match program, they always mention the personal note signed by our team. They notice the extra effort and that makes all the difference.”
Cultivating Strong Roots Around the Globe
Community Coffee’s support stretches far beyond the south Louisiana community, including the tropical climates that grow Community’s coffee beans.
“The nature of farming leads to generations of farming families,” Conachen said. “Since our relationships go back decades, we have sought partnerships that offer top quality and a consistent yield.”
In Rwanda, for example, Community Coffee was the first U.S. coffee company to export beans after the 1994 civil war and genocide. The company paid farmers above market prices to help in recovery and also distributed money through the Maraba coffee cooperative for medical, social and educational programs. Community Coffee also works with farmers in Colombia and Mexico, providing social development projects and improving the availability and quality of education.
To learn more about Community Coffee Company’s give back efforts, visit CommunityCoffee.comwhere the story continues.
Content provided by our sponsor: Community Coffee Company.
