In response to the Haitian relief effort, Starbucks committed support and funding to the growing international relief effort. Participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada will enable customers to make monetary donations at store registers, with no purchase necessary, to benefit the American and Canadian Red Cross organizations for a limited time. The Starbucks Foundation will also donate $1 million (U.S.) from The Starbucks Foundation to the American Red Cross efforts to help Haiti.
“We are devastated by the recent loss of life caused by the earthquake in Haiti,” says Howard Schultz, chairman and CEO of Starbucks Coffee Company. “We feel a tremendous sense of urgency to respond to the humanitarian crisis.”
“The generous support of Starbucks, and so many of their customers, will reach the lives of survivors in Haiti, providing help and hope,” says Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “The Red Cross is grateful for this global outpouring of compassion, and we encourage people to continue their support for Haiti because the need is so great.”
In addition, Haitian-American musician Wyclef Jean has collaborated with Starbucks to make an appeal to the Global Community about the crucial needs of the Haitian community. To learn more about Jean’s ongoing efforts in Haiti, go to www.yele.org.
