The Starbucks Foundation has more than a 25-year history of investing in communities across the U.S. and globally. In March 2022, The Starbucks Foundation&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/the-starbucks-foundation-launches-global-community-impact-grants-initiative/">announced</a>&nbsp;a $30 million investment by 2030 in its Global Community Impact Grants portfolio designed to drive locally relevant impact in the communities where Starbucks operates around the world.

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In the third year of the&nbsp;<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/emea/stories/2022/supporting-youth-empowerment-hunger-relief-and-refugees-in-emea/">Global Community Impact Grants</a>&nbsp;program, The Starbucks Foundation awarded grants to 85 nonprofits, all of which were nominated by Starbucks international licensees and will reach communities in more than 46 markets. Between grants and co-investment from international licensees, over $3.2 million has been awarded in 2024 to date for causes aligned to The Starbucks Foundation’s community impact goals, including youth workforce development, hunger relief and economic opportunity, while also promoting access to human and social services, water and sanitation and greater inclusion and diversity.

In Asia Pacific, The Foundation awarded 24 grants across 12 markets for causes ranging from social services to youth workforce development to hunger relief to inclusion &amp; diversity. Grants were awarded in Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/global-community-impact-grants/">Learn more</a>&nbsp;about the program and organizations we are supporting in Asia Pacific and across the globe.

Supporting Youth Workforce Development, Hunger Relief, and Inclusion &amp; Diversity in Asia Pacific : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Stories Asia

Supporting Youth Workforce Development, Hunger Relief, and Inclusion &amp; Diversity in Asia Pacific

Supporting Youth Workforce Development, Hunger Relief, and Inclusion & Diversity in Asia Pacific : Starbucks Stories Asia

The Starbucks Foundation has more than a 25-year history of investing in communities across the U.S. and globally. In March 2022, The Starbucks Foundation&nbsp;announced&nbsp;a $30 million investment by 2030 in its Global Community Impact Grants portfolio designed to drive locally relevant impact in the communities where Starbucks operates around the world. In the third year […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/global-community-impact-grants-asia-pacific/

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Supporting Youth Workforce Development, Hunger Relief, and Inclusion & Diversity in Asia Pacific

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In response to Typhoon Yagi, a devastating storm that struck southern China and Southeast Asia, and its aftermath, The Starbucks Foundation has partnered with nonprofit organizations <a href="https://planet-water.org/starbucks/">Planet Water Foundation</a> and <a href="https://www.care-international.org/news/typhoon-yagi-devastates-southeast-asia-millions-affected">CARE</a> to provide clean water access and other emergency response and recovery support to impacted communities.

Through this support, Planet Water Foundation deployed AquaTower water filtration systems to provide clean, safe drinking water access in Yen Bai province in Vietnam, and Chiang Rai province in Thailand. These systems produce 1,000 liters of safe drinking water per hour, providing impacted community members with safe water for drinking, cooking, and other essential uses.

Starbucks has partnered with&nbsp;Planet Water Foundation since 2011 to provide clean water access and hygiene programs to communities around the world. Through this long-term partnership supported by The Starbucks Foundation, 70 AquaTowers&nbsp;have been constructed globally, including in seven&nbsp;markets across Asia Pacific, providing up to 126,000 people with access to clean water.

CARE is working to address the most urgent needs of families and individuals in impacted communities. CARE’s response is focused on rapid assessment and mobilization, emergency water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and social protection, including humanitarian cash transfers. CARE is also ensuring that the voices and needs of women and girls are taken to account, and is prepared to support medium and long-term recovery. The response also includes supporting locally affected communities to restore their shelters and livelihood activities.

CARE and The Starbucks Foundation are also supporting a project to promote sustainable and resilient livelihoods for women coffee producers in Vietnam’s Son La Province, as part of The Starbucks Foundation’s goal to reach 1 million women in coffee, tea and cocoa-growing communities by 2030.

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Disaster Response (Yagi Typhoon)

The Starbucks Foundation supports Typhoon Yagi relief efforts in Thailand and Vietnam : Starbucks Stories Asia

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The Starbucks Foundation supports Typhoon Yagi relief efforts in Thailand and Vietnam

In response to Typhoon Yagi, a devastating storm that struck southern China and Southeast Asia, and its aftermath, The Starbucks Foundation has partnered with nonprofit organizations Planet Water Foundation and CARE to provide clean water access and other emergency response and recovery support to impacted communities.

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/29/2024/09/NTH04178-1024x683.jpg

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/the-starbucks-foundation-supports-typhoon-yagi-relief-efforts-in-thailand-and-vietnam/

Starbucks Thailand announced opening its third Community Store at The Kad Farang Village amidst the mountains of Mae Rim district, Chiang Mai province, supporting local coffee farmers and communities. The store's design is inspired by the local coffee growing traditions and cultural heritage of Northern Thailand farmers, who have long collaborated with Starbucks and played a crucial role in creating the Starbucks® Muan Jai™ Blend, a special coffee blend available exclusively in Thailand.

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Since the launch of Starbucks® Muan Jai™ Blend coffee in 2003, and Thailand's first Community Store in Bangkok in 2013, Starbucks Thailand has contributed over 27 million baht (approximately $790,000 USD) to support coffee farming communities in Northern Thailand. These contributions enabled The Integrated Tribal Development Foundation (ITDF), a local nonprofit organization, to implement various social and environmental development projects in Northern Thailand, including the Mountain Waterworks Project and a health clinic in Bann Huay Som Poi, which serves coffee farmers in Bann Huay Som Poi and nine neighboring communities, benefiting over 1,600 people. Additionally, Starbucks has supported establishing schools in the Chiang Mai area, including Ban Mae Khee Muk Noi-Gong Gai Child Centre and Ban Song Tan School. Starbucks also offers the Livelihood Equipping, Training, and Nourishment Project, which has empowered over 900 hill tribe villagers by providing knowledge in various fields.

A Coffee Store Reflecting Local Identity

Starbucks at The Kad Farang, Mae Rim, is decorated with warm-toned wooden lattices, evoking a rustic charm that blends with the surrounding interior space. Earthy tones in the furniture reflect the community's deep connection to nature, while warm hues highlight their enduring bond with the heritage of coffee cultivation and the land.

To pay homage to the coffee farmer community, the store features custom artwork that incorporates handwoven textile panels created by local weavers and artisans. The panels celebrate the diverse hill tribe communities and traditional crafts, representing the vibrant farming communities of Northern Thailand.

Strengthening Thai Coffee Farmers and Communities Through Continued Support

For every Starbucks beverage purchased at this store, 10 baht will be donated to ITDF to improve the livelihoods of coffee farmers in Northern Thailand. Additionally, this branch offers an exclusive drink menu featuring the Muan Jai™ White Chocolate Affogato-Style Frappuccino® Blended Beverage. A special collection of merchandise is also available, including Benjarong mugs (traditional Thai five-colored porcelain), drinkware, keychains, bags, and coasters made with coffee grounds. Inspired by coffee plants and the Northern Thai coffee farming communities, the collection features vibrant designs.

Starbucks Thailand opens third Community Store : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Thailand opens third Community Store

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/starbucks-thailand-opens-third-community-store-in-chiang-mai-continuing-support-for-local-coffee-farmers-and-communities/

On November 7, Starbucks Vietnam marked a significant milestone in its 10-year journey in the market with the inauguration of its first Community Store. The Nguyen Huu Huan store not only celebrates the company's decade-long presence but also a continued commitment to social impact.

The Community Store is dedicated to supporting youth vocational education in Vietnam, with 3,000 VND (approximately $0.12 USD) per beverage sold at the store contributing to training programs with nonprofit partner REACH over the next three years. This store is part of a global initiative to strengthen communities, support economic opportunities, and create impact through partnerships with local nonprofit organizations.

“Over the past 10 years, Starbucks Vietnam has sought to fulfill our brand promise to uplift the everyday for customers, while contributing positively to our communities," said Ho Mai Ho, general manager of Starbucks Vietnam. "This Community Store is an extension of this promise, and we look forward to supporting the youth of Vietnam through this store," he added. 

The Starbucks Nguyen Huu Huan Community Store will support REACH, which provides the most vulnerable youth with vocational training, skills, and employment opportunities to build a better future for themselves and their families. With grant funding from The Starbucks Foundation, Starbucks Vietnam first partnered with REACH, in collaboration with The Asia Foundation, in 2016 to provide vocational training, career advice, and job placement services in the food and beverage industry (F&amp;B) for young people in Vietnam. Starbucks Vietnam partners (employees) volunteered to help mentor youth, and plan to continue volunteering with REACH's future cohorts.

“REACH is sincerely grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Starbucks on its inaugural community store in Vietnam. With a rich history spanning 15 years, REACH has been a catalyst for positive change, empowering countless disadvantaged young individuals to reshape their futures through high-quality vocational training programs, successful job placements, and sustained support post-graduation,” said Pham Thi Thanh Tam, Founder and Executive Chief of REACH. “We hope that with the support from this Community Store, we will be able to extend educational and employment opportunities to even more marginalized youth, and contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development of Vietnam,” she added.

The store draws inspiration from our iconic Pike Place Market store in Seattle, honoring our heritage as it finds its home in Hanoi's vibrant Old Quarter. With an emphasis on our partnership with REACH, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering disadvantaged youth through vocational training, the store proudly showcases a mural and artwork by local artists Nguyễn Tấn Lực and Trang Nhơn Khoah that convey the message of coffee, connection, and community.

The store offers a warm and inviting ambiance, thoughtfully designed to accommodate youth programs and workshops. Open daily, customers can enjoy their favorite Starbucks beverages and menu items while immersing themselves in an uplifting and inspiring environment that nurtures both personal growth and meaningful connections.

Starbucks Vietnam opens first Community Store

Starbucks Vietnam opens first Community Store dedicated to youth vocational education : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Vietnam opens first Community Store dedicated to youth vocational education

Starbucks Vietnam marked a significant milestone in its 10-year journey in the market with the inauguration of its first Community Store.

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/starbucks-vietnam-opens-first-community-store-dedicated-to-youth-vocational-education/

The Starbucks Foundation has a 25-year history of investing in communities across the U.S. and globally. In March 2022, The Starbucks Foundation announced a $30 million investment by 2030 in its Global Community Impact Grants portfolio designed to drive locally relevant impact in the communities where Starbucks operates around the world. In the second year of the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/global-community-impact-grants/">Global Community Impact Grants</a> program, The Starbucks Foundation awarded grants to more than 90 nonprofits, all nominated by Starbucks international licensees, and will reach communities in 46 markets. Between grants and co-investment from international licensees, more than $3.8 million was awarded in 2023 for causes aligned to The Starbucks Foundation’s community impact goals, including youth workforce development, inclusion &amp; diversity, social services, hunger relief, economic opportunity, and coffee-, tea- and cocoa-growing communities. In Asia Pacific, the Foundation awarded 29 grants across 14 markets for causes ranging from youth empowerment and hunger relief, to promoting economic opportunity to workforce development, and social services. Grants were awarded to nonprofit organizations in Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/global-community-impact-grants/">Learn more</a> about the program and organizations we support in Asia Pacific and across the globe. Highlights from select grantees in Asia Pacific include:

ChildFund Korea, South Korea The Starbucks Youth Leadership Program, supported by Starbucks Korea’s first Community Store, is a holistic 4-year program that partners with ChildFund Korea to offer academic scholarships through college graduation. The program also provides a unique curriculum focused on building business acumen, collaborative communications, and social consciousness as part of its aim to prepare young people from disadvantaged backgrounds for educational and career opportunities in Korea’s economy.

 With additional support from The Starbucks Foundation, over 80 students have been supported through the program and new students will be selected in May 2023. The most recent Global Community Impact Grant will support the current group of students to gain business development skills and other training for career development over the coming year.

Gawad Kalinga, Philippines As part of the Global Community Impact Grants, The Starbucks Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga in April 2022 supporting nutrition for 600 youth in two communities in Quezon City and Laguna, as well as providing nutrition education and support for building and maintaining community vegetable gardens. Starbucks Philippines donated an additional $25,000 each to the Philippine FoodBank Foundation and Gawad Kalinga to expand its hunger relief programs in 2023 in the Visayas region. The most recent Global Community Impact Grant from The Starbucks Foundation will enable Gawad Kalinga to provide nutritious meals to an additional 1,200 children, host family health and nutrition educational workshops, and train 30 Community Food Farmers to build vegetable gardens.

Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, Indonesia

In September 2022, The Starbucks Foundation and Starbucks Indonesia partnered with Habitat for Humanity Indonesia to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in Bojong Koneng village in Bogor district, West Java, Indonesia. Over 70 Starbucks Indonesia partners (employees) and Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, helped to build 21 toilets to support the wellbeing, health, and resilience of this rural community. 

Habitat for Humanity Indonesia is a long-time partner on disaster relief. Most recently, The Starbucks Foundation supported rebuilding efforts in Cianjur West Java, after an earthquake struck in November 2022. This included providing temporary shelter to families, as well as latrines for impacted communities. The most recent Global Community Impact Grant will help Habitat for Humanity improve wellbeing, health status, and resiliency of the Karawang community in West Java through safe and decent housing and household WASH improvements for low-income families. 

Scholars of Sustenance Foundation (SOS), Thailand The Scholars of Sustenance Foundation’s Rescue Kitchen provided more than 430,000 meals to communities from October 2022 to March 2023, with the support of a Global Community Impact Grant. Fifty partners assisted in these efforts by preparing meals for Klong Ladpachee and Wat Ampawa communities. The most recent Global Community Impact Grant will further expand the Rescue Kitchen’s network through a “cooking hero” training for community volunteers that will increase community access to nutritious food. The Global Community Impact Grant complements Starbucks Thailand’s FoodShare program which has donated more than 6,500 kilograms of surplus food, representing nearly 28,000 meals to communities in need, in January to March 2023.

Supporting Economic Opportunity, Youth Workforce Development, Hunger Relief and Social Services in Asia Pacific : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Supporting Economic Opportunity, Youth Workforce Development, Hunger Relief and Social Services in Asia Pacific

In Asia Pacific, the Starbucks Foundation awarded 21 grants across 12 markets for causes ranging from youth empowerment and hunger relief to promoting economic opportunity to workforce development to hunger relief to social services.

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/asia-pacific-global-community-impact-grants/

Starbucks Philippines strengthened its partnership with Gawad Kalinga for its Kusina ng Kalinga Program as part of the company’s continuous global advocacy for hunger relief. Starbucks Philippines and Gawad Kalinga have a shared goal to help fight hunger and support communities in the Philippines.

Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga program is their strategic response to address hunger and malnutrition among Filipino children and pregnant and lactating mothers. It is a food donation program where thousands of nutritious meals are prepared and distributed to those in need. These meals are prepared by volunteers in their community kitchens, then picked up by parents and guardians or directly distributed to children in public schools, on the streets, and even in disaster and conflict areas.

As part of the Global Community Impact Grants, The Starbucks Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga in April 2022 supporting nutrition for 600 youth in two communities in Quezon City and Laguna, as well as providing nutrition education and support for building and maintaining community vegetable gardens. Starbucks Philippines donated an additional $25,000 each to the Philippine FoodBank Foundation and Gawad Kalinga to expand its hunger relief programs in 2023 in Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Taking the first steps towards fighting hunger

In July 2022, the Kusina ng Kalinga program started the implementation of the program in Gawad Kalinga communities in Toyota, Sta. Rosa Laguna and Tribuin, Batasan Hills.

On December 13, Starbucks Philippines and Gawad Kalinga held a face-to-face volunteering program together in Gawad Kalinga Batasan, Quezon City. This program was implemented across three GK barangays: GK Pioneer, GK Tribu, and GK Telus II and Starbucks partners (employees) volunteered to help prepare and serve meals to 300 children in need of nutrition.

“Starbucks Philippines is committed to help fight hunger and support thriving communities. As we work towards fighting hunger, we are honored to be serving our beneficiaries alongside our friends at Gawad Kalinga. We are only at the start of this fight against hunger in the country and we aim to be able to help more communities in the coming months,” said Char Vilchez, manager for Marketing &amp; Global Responsibility at Starbucks Philippines.

Starbucks Philippines addresses hunger relief through Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga program : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Philippines addresses hunger relief through Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga program

Starbucks Philippines strengthened its partnership with Gawad Kalinga for its Kusina ng Kalinga Program as part of the company’s continuous global advocacy for hunger relief. Starbucks Philippines and Gawad Kalinga have a shared goal to help fight hunger and support communities in the Philippines. Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga program is their strategic response to […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/starbucks-philippines-addresses-hunger-relief-through-gawad-kalingas-kusina-ng-kalinga-program/

Rejuvenating the traditional marketplace through reimagination, connecting the past to the present

Today, Starbucks Korea announced the opening of its fifth Community Store ‘Kyungdong 1960’ on December 16th, dedicated towards revitalizing and restoring the long-standing heritage of the Kyundong Market, alongside the local community of the marketplace.

As part of Starbucks Korea’s ongoing commitment to strengthen communities through the expansion of the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/starbucks-korea-announces-aspirations/">Community Store program</a>, the Starbucks Korea ‘Kyungdong 1960’ Community Store will donate 300 Korean won (approximately 25 cents USD) for every item sold at the Community Store to the Korean Commissions for Corporate Partnership (KCCP) to revive and refurbish the infrastructure of the Kyundong old market. The company will also host community gatherings and support various activities, creating a welcoming space for the local community to connect.

“This store not only stands for mutual growth with the local community but also a much-cherished meeting place for the locals,” said Jeonghyun Sohn, ceo of Starbucks Korea. “We hope to create meaningful occasions for customers of all generations and contribute to revitalizing the traditional marketplace.”

The new store pays tribute to the old Kyungdong Theater, originally built in the 1960’s, that has been lost since its closure in 1994. Previously, a beloved location as a community hub , Starbucks Korea pays homage by preserving the architect and existing materials of the old theater, modified with a touch of retro and modern design elements, bringing together the nostalgic ambience of 1960s and the signature Starbucks coffee experience.

The beautiful store spans two floors (third and fourth floors of Kyungdong Market) and 805 square meters with 143 seats. The double-doored entrance, which was preserved from the original structure, leads to the center of the store with the bar serving as the main stage. With seats in rows facing forward, customers can enjoy the view of the bar as if enjoying a performance in a theater. There will be regular cultural and musical performances by local artists in the store, providing a unique Starbucks experience for customers.

To commemorate the opening of its fifth Community Store, Starbucks Korea will sign a cooperative-coexistence agreement with the Korean Commissions for Corporate Partnership (KCCP), the Kyungdong Market Merchants Association, and KD Market on December 15.

Since opening its first store in 1999, Starbucks Korea has opened more than 1,750 stores across 78 cities nationwide, with more than 21,000 partners now proudly wearing the green apron. Starbucks Korea opened its first Community Store in 2014, which supports lifelong skills development for youth through the Starbucks Comprehensive Youth Leadership Program. Today, Starbucks Korea operates 5 Community Stores in the market, supporting local communities.

Starbucks opens fifth Community Store ‘Kyungdong 1960’ to support the local community : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks opens fifth Community Store ‘Kyungdong 1960’ to support the local community

The Community Store rejuvenates the traditional marketplace through reimagination, connecting the past to the present.

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/starbucks-opens-fifth-community-store-kyungdong-1960-to-support-the-local-community/

At Starbucks, we have always been about bringing people together and strengthening the communities we serve. Across Asia, Starbucks is working with like-minded organizations to drive positive impact in local communities, while bringing our partners and customers together to leverage our scale for good and achieve meaningful change.

Providing Hunger Relief in the Philippines through Starbucks FoodShare program

In March, we expanded the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/starbucks-strengthens-commitment-to-hunger-relief-in-the-philippines/">Starbucks FoodShare food donation program</a>, which donates unsold food and distributes it to people facing hunger. A program that started with 40 stores in the Metro Manila area has now expanded to 238 stores across the Philippines.

Starbucks partner Juan Carlo “JC” Cruz, a store manager in Manila, has played a key role in bringing this program to life. His store at Ayala North Exchange donates its end-of-day food to the Philippine Food Bank Foundation, which then distributes it to children and under-resourced families.

“The FoodShare program opened my eyes to the fact that being a Starbucks partner goes beyond handcrafting beverages. It is about walking our talk in uplifting humanity through the different communities we are a part of,” says JC.

As the day ends, JC and his team sort through the unsold perishable food items, getting them ready for the Philippine Food Foundation to collect and distribute. Once checked for quality, food like the local sweet bread roll pandesal, Danish pastries, and sausage rolls are all donated to those in need.

As a partner and an active member of the community, JC has immersed himself in the program. “The FoodShare program elevates us in a way that we are able to show our dedication to fulfilling our social and civic responsibilities,” he says. “We always look for ways to help our community by joining organizations that advocate ending issues like hunger. As much as we can, we try to provide a greater impact, one store at a time.”

And JC can see the ripple effect on customers too.&nbsp; “ Programs like this raise awareness of the unseen struggles faced by the underprivileged,” he says.

Empowering Young People with The Starbucks Foundation Grants

The <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/supporting-youth-empowerment-hunger-relief-and-inclusion-diversity-in-asia-pacific/">Global Community Impact Grants</a> are part of The Starbucks Foundation’s commitment to invest US$30 million by 2030 to drive locally relevant impact. The Grants were announced in March 2022, and fund programs that create meaningful local impact, expanding on the company’s people positive ambition to enhance the well-being of all who connect with Starbucks.

In Asia Pacific, The Starbucks Foundation aims to invest in youth, and in 2022 awarded 24 grants across 10 markets in Asia Pacific, with a focus on uplifting, creating opportunities and building connections with young people.

Among the grantees is The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the city’s largest youth service organization. The grant will support the Career Starter program, which aims to provide 60 young people with basic digital skills, internships, and core skills for work readiness.

“We are thrilled to work with Starbucks to launch the Career Starter that empowers young people and can unleash their potential,” says Vicky Kwong, Supervisor at The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups. “Career Starter will provide disadvantaged young people not only with digital skills, training workshops and job shadowing, but also with opportunities for internships and community services.”

With digital transformation and artificial intelligence reshaping the future workplace, teaching digital skills to young people is crucial to helping them reach their full potential. Beyond enhancing participants’ competitiveness and employability, the program aims to give young people a safe space to explore careers in the IT sector and more. To further support participants’ development of skills to succeed in the workplace, Starbucks partners will serve as guest mock interviewers to help build confidence and experience.

Elsewhere across the region, Starbucks is also promoting the love of reading with children in Cambodia, while uplifting girls and women in Malaysia through the support from the Starbucks Foundation.

Since 2017, Starbucks has worked with The Asia Foundation in Cambodia on a project called "Let's Read!”, which is all about building positive reading habits in children.

With Starbucks support, the project has brought together local talent to create storybooks, including “Kaldi and the Dancing Goats” and “A Treat for Everyone”, which were sold at local Starbucks stores to raise money for “Let’s Read!”. Starbucks has also supported efforts to put more Khmer language books in the hands of children, including a digital translation event that brought together young volunteers and language experts to translate 20 storybooks exploring women’s empowerment.

Commenting on the initiative, The Asia Foundation said: “Starbucks was an early and consistent supporter of “Let’s Read!”. Our collaboration with Starbucks has created fun and educational stories for children in Cambodia and built strong reading habits.”

Starbucks and The Asia Foundation will launch a local community reading campaign later this year, whilst conducting additional library refurbishments, and provide read aloud training in schools.

In Malaysia, Starbucks is contributing to the Vocational Training Opportunity Centre (VTOC) transformational project, a community-led initiative by YWCA Kuala Lumpur. The grant will be utilized over three years to enhance the VTOC courses, as well as equip the students with the knowledge and abilities required to thrive in an ever-changing, dynamic, and uncertain environment.

Kartiyani Palaniandy, who graduated from the program in 2017, reflects on her experience.

“The program really helped me build my confidence, both externally and within myself,” she says. “The program facilitators helped us get out of our shells and made us proud of ourselves and everything we are capable of. They taught us how to be brave, confident, and to think smarter. It really helped me a lot.”

When asked about the most useful skills she learned from the program, Kartiyani says beauty and hair. Today, Kartiyani is proudly self-employed, running her own makeup artist business – an achievement she credits to the skills she learned and confidence she gained through the program. She’s also an assistant teacher for the VTOC’s beauty care class.

No matter what goals other women and girls have, she thinks there is value in going through the program: “VTOC is a great place to find strength within ourselves, achieving things we didn’t think were possible. The facilitators have given us a helping hand and appreciated everything that we do. I truly believe that VTOC has made us all better versions of ourselves.”

As we build on the momentum of these inspiring initiatives, together with our partners, non-profit partners, and local communities, we’re committed to making a continued positive impact on the communities that we serve across Asia and beyond – one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.

Doing good together: How Starbucks is making communities stronger in Asia : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Doing good together: How Starbucks is making communities stronger in Asia

At Starbucks, we have always been about bringing people together and strengthening the communities we serve. Across Asia, Starbucks is working with like-minded organizations to drive positive impact in local communities, while bringing our partners and customers together to leverage our scale for good and achieve meaningful change. Providing Hunger Relief in the Philippines through […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/doing-good-together-how-starbucks-is-making-communities-stronger-in-asia/

At Starbucks, we believe people are at the center of everything we do. We are committed to enhance the well-being of all who connect with Starbucks and have pledged to uplift 1 billion people by 2030. To achieve this goal, we partner with like-minded organizations to accelerate the positive impact Starbucks creates in the communities we serve. On this Global Handwashing Day, an international movement dedicated to increasing awareness and education on the importance of personal hygiene to prevent diseases and save lives, Starbucks has partnered with Planet Water Foundation, a non-profit organization, to provide clean water access and hygiene programs to communities around the world. Through this long-term partnership supported by The Starbucks Foundation since 2011, 41 AquaTowers have been constructed globally to date, including 6 markets across Asia Pacific, providing up to 73,800 people with access to clean water.

This year, The Starbucks Foundation awarded a grant to Planet Water Foundation to provide access to clean, safe drinking water and handwashing stations for ten communities around the world, including Cambodia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. In the weeks leading up to Global Handwashing Day 2022, Starbucks partners (employees) in Asia Pacific constructed AquaTowers and led hygiene education activities with children. Through these investments and volunteer service, Starbucks partners continue to nurture community connections and meet the needs of their local community, providing clean drinking water and improving health and hygiene behaviors in children for years to come.

“As a partner in the construction and store design services team, I design and build Starbucks stores for customers. Today, I am grateful for the opportunity to build an AquaTower alongside other Starbucks partners, which will provide clean water and access to hygiene essentials to the young students in need. It feels great to be giving back to our community,” said Kirakorn a Starbucks Thailand partner.

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School Name: Ban Thakasem
Deployment Date: 23-Sep-22

Starbucks celebrates Global Handwashing Day across Asia Pacific : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks celebrates Global Handwashing Day across Asia Pacific

At Starbucks, we believe people are at the center of everything we do. We are committed to enhance the well-being of all who connect with Starbucks and have pledged to uplift 1 billion people by 2030. To achieve this goal, we partner with like-minded organizations to accelerate the positive impact Starbucks creates in the communities […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/29/2022/10/Aqua-tower_key-visual-1024x683.jpg

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/starbucks-celebrates-global-handwashing-day-across-asia-pacific/

The Global Community Impact Grants are part of The Starbucks Foundation’s commitment to invest US$30 million by 2030 to drive locally relevant impact where Starbucks operates around the world.

The Starbucks Foundation today announced that it will award grants to 17 local nonprofits, in nine markets across Asia Pacific, focusing on youth, hunger relief, and diversity and inclusion, as part of the inaugural round of Global Community Impact Grants.

Announced in March 2022, The Starbucks Foundation’s <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/the-starbucks-foundation-launches-global-community-impact-grants-initiative/">Global Community Impact Grants</a>&nbsp; will fund programs that create meaningful local impact, expanding on the company’s people positive ambition to enhance the well-being of all who connect with Starbucks.

With more than 50 grants awarded across more than 30 markets, the program expands and builds on other initiatives of The Starbucks Foundation – including Neighborhood Grants, Origin Grants, and Disaster Response Grants – which focus on enabling community resiliency and prosperity and uplifting communities affected by disaster.

In Asia Pacific, The Starbucks Foundation aims to invest in youth, amongst other focus areas, by creating opportunities, building connections to critical resources like mental health, and expanding access to learning and skills development. The grants will further build on existing long-term local efforts and help create new partnerships to uplift those in need and they include:

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“Since the beginning, Starbucks has been about more than coffee. We are a people company, driven by our Mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit of all who touch Starbucks,” said Michael Conway, group president, International and Channel Development at Starbucks and board member of The Starbucks Foundation. “Our partners know their communities best, and we’re proud to work alongside our licensed business partners around the world to deepen our collective impact and invest in meaningful ways that will help people and communities thrive.”

Learn more about the Global Community Impact Grants program and full list of grantees at <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/global-community-impact-grants">Starbucks Stories</a>.

The Starbucks Foundation awards grants to 17 nonprofit organizations in support of youth empowerment, hunger relief, diversity and inclusion across Asia Pacific : Starbucks Stories Asia

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The Starbucks Foundation awards grants to 17 nonprofit organizations in support of youth empowerment, hunger relief, diversity and inclusion across Asia Pacific

The Global Community Impact Grants are part of The Starbucks Foundation’s commitment to invest US$30 million by 2030 to drive locally relevant impact where Starbucks operates around the world.

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/the-starbucks-foundation-awards-grants-to-17-nonprofit-organizations-across-asia-pacific/

Over the last four years, The Starbucks Foundation has partnered with nonprofit organizations around the world to support 250,000 women&nbsp;and girls in coffee-, tea- and cocoa-growing communities including the investment of $14 million in grants. This International Women’s Day,&nbsp;we are pleased to announce our new goal to positively impact 1 million women and girls by 2030.​

In the Asia Pacific region,&nbsp;The Starbucks Foundation is awarding&nbsp;four new grants&nbsp;to uplift women and girls in tea- and coffee-growing communities in&nbsp;Indonesia and India.&nbsp;​

<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/the-starbucks-foundation-commits-to-uplift-one-million-women-and-girls-in-origin-communities-by-2030/" target="_blank">Learn more</a>&nbsp;about the organizations we are supporting in the Asia Pacific region and across the globe.&nbsp;

Photo of a woman working on a coffee farm in Indonesia

Supporting Women in Coffee, Tea &amp; Cocoa Communities ​ : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Supporting Women in Coffee, Tea &amp; Cocoa Communities ​

Over the last four years, The Starbucks Foundation has partnered with nonprofit organizations around the world to support 250,000 women&nbsp;and girls in coffee-, tea- and cocoa-growing communities including the investment of $14 million in grants. This International Women’s Day,&nbsp;we are pleased to announce our new goal to positively impact 1 million women and girls by […]

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2022/supporting-women-in-coffee-tea-cocoa-communities/

Supporting Women in Coffee, Tea & Cocoa Communities ​

Our commitment to ensuring a sustainable future of coffee for all starts with strengthening the communities that grow coffee and tea around the world. Women play key roles in these communities for their households, farms and businesses. Starbucks believes that investing in women and girls in coffee- and tea-growing regions makes a significant impact for both families and their broader communities. 

Since The Starbucks Foundation <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/starbucks-partners-with-malala-fund-to-invest-in-women/">announced</a> its commitment to empower 250,000 women and girls in coffee origin communities by 2025, we, alongside our non-profit partners, have reached more than 125,000 women and girls.

According to the <a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality/">United Nations</a> Sustainable Development Goal 5, the COVID-19 outbreak has exacerbated existing inequalities for women and girls – impacting everything from health, economics, security and social protection. And with women and girls often bearing a greater burden while also having the potential to make a positive impact for their families and communities, we’re dedicated to supporting them. Together with our partners, we believe we can make a difference across community leadership, education and health.

Helping women leaders keep their families healthy amidst COVID-19

Jayanti Malik Mura, a community health worker at Borbam Tea Estate in Amgoorie, Assam, is the main source of information for more than 300 families. To help women leaders like Jayanti share critical information about COVID-19 with their communities, The Starbucks Foundation and Mercy Corps launched a campaign in remote areas with little access to information.

Jayanti teamed up with other health care workers to go door-to-door, answering questions and sharing safety guidelines about face masks, handwashing and social distancing. Mercy Corps also installed loudspeakers on top of vehicles that traveled to outlying farmlands in Assam, playing pre-recorded messages on preventative measures. Together, we reached more than 110,000 people across 17 tea estates.

“The pandemic is not over yet,” said Jayanti. “While we still need to keep educating people about COVID‑19 safety measures, we must now also educate people about vaccinations and help address misconceptions or false information.”

Providing education for girls in India’s tea plantations

Since 2018, The Starbucks Foundation has made several grants to organizations working with coffee and tea communities across Asia, including Malala Fund. In Assam, India’s largest tea-producing state, only 20 percent of girls finish their secondary education. Bondita Acharya, director of the Purva Bharati Educational Trust (PBET) and a Malala Fund Education Champion, works to address this challenge, ensuring girls have access to education.

When COVID-19 triggered a national lockdown, Bondita and her team supported 1,392 families across marginalized communities with relief materials. They also addressed the rise in violence faced by girls, becoming their first point of contact, and supported children who faced remote learning barriers, documenting and sharing the experiences of women and girls in Assam. Bondita and her organization were able to build trust with the communities they work with. “PBET’s work over the years in the community generated confidence within ourselves for a collective approach [and] process in the organization, says Bondita. “That helped us to sustain during this crisis.”

Creating opportunities for lifelong learning

As girls grow up and look to the future, it’s important to promote education as a life-long endeavor. This relies on creating consistent opportunities for women to further their education, which Susi was able to do through grant programming.

Susi is a tea-leaf picker in Pangalengan, Indonesia, who participated in leadership training from CARE, a nonprofit organization. She had the opportunity to participate in a series of training sessions on gender equality, leadership, communications, problem-solving, decision-making and financial literacy. This newfound knowledge inspired Susi and her peers to adopt a new outlook on village life. 

CARE and Starbucks are proud to celebrate their partnership benefitting more than 4,000 women and girls in Sukaluyu District, Indonesia to support economic empowerment and nurturing women’s leadership, financial empowerment and improve WASH governance and practices. “It is like being in school again,” said Susi. “I am happy I can increase my knowledge and learn together with other women in the group.”

Creating a healthier future for girls and women in communities

To help both girls and women thrive, community leaders must foster healthy environments for girls and women to live and learn in. To advance this vision, The Starbucks Foundation partnered with Lutheran World Relief to directly support 9,400 women-led community health and hygiene programs in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia.

For example, every Sunday at One Heart Garbage Bank in Penampen village, a group of women invites the community to bring garbage, which is then sorted into used items that can be refurbished and resold or disposed of following sanitation best practices.

Nande Wandra, a manager at One Heart, said, “My knowledge of waste management is improving and has enabled me to help others in the community have healthier homes.” These women are also excited by the opportunity to lead such an important initiative for their villages and are already seeing neighboring communities ask to be involved. They are optimistic that the garbage banks will continue to grow and engage more of their community, while continuing to improve community health and provide alternative sources for income.

Advancing opportunity, equity and inclusion for women and girls in the communities we serve

Through our work with coffee- and tea-growing communities across Asia, we’ve seen an intrinsic motivation from women to further their education and create better lives for themselves, their families and wider communities. By increasing opportunities for women and girls to learn important skills and lead in their communities, we can empower them to create more positive outcomes for themselves and their families, helping them become important role models for future generations.

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How The Starbucks Foundation is empowering women and girls across Asia’s coffee- and tea-growing communities : Starbucks Stories Asia

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How The Starbucks Foundation is empowering women and girls across Asia’s coffee- and tea-growing communities

Learn how The Starbucks Foundation is investing in the futures of women and girls across Asia.

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https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/empowering-women-across-asias-coffee-and-tea-growing-communities/

Social Impact