On of the perks of being a coffee entrepreneur is getting to travel to exotic, far-off places from South America, Central America and Africa to the Pacific Islands and Asian continent. These coffee folks tend to meet a lot of people, many of them in developing countries, many who want to come here for a visit, or to live.
“We’ve been working with coffee people around the globe for over 20 years. We work with people of all different faiths, cultures, beliefs and so on. One thing that remains true despite the national borders between us, is that we are all more alike than we are different,” said Phil Anacker, co-founder and managing partner of Flying Goat Coffee.
But many coffeemakers and, well, let’s just say many Americans, are feeling rising concerns about the current political climate toward our world neighbors. Not ones to sit by (cause hey they’re caffeinated and ready to go) more than 600 coffee cafes nationwide and 278 coffee brands are banding together to raise funds for the ACLU. And all you have to do is buy some coffee from today (Friday, Feb. 3) through Sunday, Feb. 5.
Kicked off by coffee lifestyle magazine Sprudge, the event has grown from a small grassroots idea of pledging to match funds raised by 26 coffee shops to a major movement being financially backed by coffee brands including Peet’s, Counter Culture and others who are offering matching donations.
“…the situation in our country has moved beyond political theater. We believe that the current executive order banning refugees from the United States and immigration from 7 majority Muslim nations is illegal, immoral, and fundamentally un-American. Like a hot mug of drip coffee spilled on a crisp white apron, these actions are a dark stain on our national conscience, and as Americans, we feel compelled to stand up against them,” said the magazine website.
“Come in over the next few days and help contribute to an important cause. We’ll be donating 5% of all daily sales to the American Civil Liberties Union to help the noble legal fight against the recently declared travel ban. Help us support the constitutional right of Equal Protection for all! We’ll be brewing a fantastic coffee from Haile Gebre’s farm in Shakiso, Ethiopia. Buy an extra cup for a friend!” said Anacker.
Wanna get involved? Drink a cup of coffee and/or make a donation at any Flying Goat location, Bella Rosa Coffee Cafe or Taylor Maid Roasters.
An evolving map is here. (Also, let us know if we’ve missed anyone!)
Locations:
Flying Goat:419 Center St Healdsburg; 10 4th St Santa Rosa
Taylor Maid: 6790 McKinley St #170, Sebastopol, CA
Bella Rosa Coffee Company: 5491 Skylane Blvd #140, Santa Rosa
Brew Coffee and Beer, 555 Healdsburg Ave, Santa Rosa