Starbucks Thailand reaffirms its commitment to create thriving neighbourhoods

Starbucks Coffee Thailand today reaffirmed its commitment to help create positive and sustainable change in local neighbourhoods, with partners (employees) throughout the organization increasing their support for the communities where they live and work.  Since 2009, Starbucks has spent 4,315 operating hours in community service and commits to a further 5,000 hours.  Starbucks globally has made a commitment to contribute more than one million hours of community service by 2015.

Starbucks has always supported local communities with donations and voluntary help from partners. This year Starbucks will help four key nonprofit organizations with grants from the Starbucks Foundation; Books for Children Foundation under the project ‘Reading Therapy ’; Goodwill Group Foundation under the project ‘Life Inspiration’; Human Development Foundation under the project ‘Mercy Farm’ and Integrated Tribal Development Program under the project ‘Community Learning Center’.  Five thousand hours of employee voluntary service will be offered, bringing positive change to the communities as a whole.

Mike Mann, Director of Integrated Tribal Development Program (ITDP) has worked with Starbucks for more than seven years to source and help Muan Jai ™ Blended Coffee farming communities. He said “the relationship between ITDP and Starbucks is sustainable. It is not just the five percent of Muan Jai™ Blended Coffee proceeds that is invested back into the coffee farming communities in the north of Thailand. Starbucks employees have also been giving their support in many ways to help the communities.
The Community Learning Centre in Mae Jam, Chiang Mai, is funded by the Starbucks Foundation and Starbucks partners have helped to build it. In April this year it will open for the benefit of the local community”.

Ruangsakdi Pinprateep, Managing Director of Books For Children Foundation has worked with Starbucks for more than six years in the Starbucks Christmas Book Drive project which has received more than 50,000 donated books to help underprivileged children and families access reading. He said; “Every month, Starbucks partners volunteer to help read books and play with children with severe learning difficulties at Rachanukul Institute. This is part of our ‘Reading Therapy Project’ that is developed to help create EQ and IQ stability for these children through reading.”

Prawina Sompong, Communications Manager of Human Development Foundation said; “The Mercy farm project helps 8-17 year old boys who live at Mercy homes to gain self-esteem and self-confidence through various farming activities such as growing vegetables herbs, rice and by fishing.  By managing these activities by themselves, these boys develop a sense of purpose and are motivated to work towards a better life for themselves. Starbucks partners will become these boys’ mentors, teaching them skills and helping to renovate the houses at the farm.”

Thipyanipa (Krairiksh) Samalapa, Director of Goodwill Group Foundation said; “Goodwill Group’s mission is to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged Thai women by offering free skills training and career services. We have helped more than 5,000 women since we started in 2000. Starbucks financial help and employee goodwill to be part of this ‘Life Inspiration’ project will help these disadvantaged women gain confidence and be inspired to have a better life for themselves and their family. Starbucks partners will be sharing their expertise in customer service and hospitality.”

March 31st, 2011