Starbucks Team Volunteers in the Food Pantry
Starbucks employee Nevaeh Valenzuela sees a natural connection between Ritter Center and Starbucks. Long familiar with the important work Ritter Center does through her mother, Ritter Center Health Clinic Manager Rachelle Valenzuela, she knows that Ritter Center is trying to help one person at a time in the community.
The Starbucks mission is this: With every cup, with every conversation, with every community – we nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection.
“Whether that be while inside our four walls with small acts of kindness or at a community event doing something big, we are here to connect with other humans in a positive way. We are here to support each other and the more we can come together and do that as a whole, will only make the world a better place for the future,” said Starbucks store manager Amber Banks.
The Starbucks mission focuses on connection as a fundamental human need, with a cup of coffee as a powerful way to connect.
“We are working on team building every day at work. This means employees having a good connection with each other, and sharing that connection with the customer. It also extends to community service and giving back with a volunteer day at Ritter Center. We want to make a difference as much as we can. Making a donation to Ritter Center while volunteering in the pantry and bringing pastries and coffee for both clients and staff is our opportunity to take the time to focus on our community,” said Starbucks employee Nevaeh.
“From the very beginning, Starbucks has been committed to serving the communities of which we work and live in, and part of our mission at Starbucks is to create a positive impact for people and the planet. We strive to do this while in our stores but we also love to come together to do something good for our communities outside of our four walls by volunteering,” said Starbucks Store Manager Amber Banks.
“While Starbucks has been very successful in getting partners out there into the community to help out, as a whole I believe there is an opportunity for all levels of partners to be involved. From my personal experience, I haven’t seen a whole lot of involvement from our partners who hold the “barista” title. You usually see store managers, district managers, and above participating at these events. When I became a store manager, I wanted to find a way to get more of my baristas involved in our community and what better way than to ask them? Ritter Center came up with one of my partners whose mom runs the clinic there, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to show support to an organization that one of my own partners had ties to and get some baristas to join,” said Starbucks Store Manager Amber Banks. “I’m looking forward to working with Ritter Center, meeting some new people and seeing how else we can continue to support. This is our first event that we are doing together as a team, and so I’m really excited to be able to do this with my partners,” said Starbucks Store Manager Amber Banks.
“Our windows at Starbucks display our core values. We try to inspire one cup of coffee at a time. That aligns with Ritter Center and their deep reach into the community with helping one person at a time,” said Starbucks employee Nevaeh.
Thank you Starbucks for perking up our day – pun intended! Our clients appreciated the extra hands in the food pantry, and the pastries and coffee you brought. Our staff also enjoyed the chance for a coffee break and a treat during their work day.
Photos by Ashton Lyle
