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Issue link: http://freshcup.epubxp.com/i/178110
ROASTERS REALM continued from page 58 us, but I have seen many varieties of cause-oriented coffees with benefits tied directly to the local community. Honestly, I think the specifics are less important than the action. As a quote I came across recently read, "Nobody has ever become poor by giving." VOLUNTEER. Finances are one thing, but I believe nothing is more valuable than our time. I have found from experience that volunteering time to our local food bank gratifies me in a way that few things do. It helps re-center me to the human element of our charitable giving. After all, anyone can relate to being buried by the day-to-day duties of running a business. Volunteering helps get me out of my predictable rut by engaging with the very people our business is helping. Even a single hour typically changes me, keeping me grounded by COMMUNITY ROLE: CafŽs that sell Wild Goose Coffee altering my perspective. It gives me receive charity-oriented marketing materials they can display. new purpose and joy in what we do. I recommend finding a local charity that tugs at your heart, and then scheduling an appointment with its executive director. Typically nonprofits are more than happy to give a tour, tell you what their needs are and describe whom they are reaching in the community. There are often opportunities that range from academic tutoring to resumé coaching, from food packing to deliveries. INCENTIVIZE. Spread the joy by incentivizing your staff and your customers (including wholesale) to volunteer their time as well. This can be done formally (we have offered to pay our staff to volunteer a set amount of hours each month) or informally (mentioning some hand-selected local charities and their causes/needs at a staff meeting). If you're looking to generate customer buy-in, offering a free bag of coffee to anyone who can verify that they gave of their time to a continued on page 62 60 Fresh Cup Magazine freshcup.com