Starbucks Kicks Off National Volunteer Week with 50 Youth Led Community Projects

April 20, 2009 • 2 min read

SEATTLE, April 20, 2009 - Building on its long-standing commitment to the local communities where it serves its customers, Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq: SBUX) recently awarded 50 Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ Youth Action Grants totaling $842,000 to U.S. non-profit organizations that help young people identify and address local needs in their regions and make a difference through community outreach.

Fifty organizations in 17 states received Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ Youth Action Grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. The Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ Youth Action Grants aim to engage and support 50,000 young people by 2015, who will in turn innovate, take action and inspire additional individuals to take part in community service.

"From the neighborhoods where our stores are located to the ones where our coffee is grown, we believe in being involved in the communities we're a part of," said Vivek Varma, senior vice president of Public Affairs. "Starbucks is excited about the opportunity to partner with passionate young people to help spur community based volunteer efforts. Our Shared Planet grants are designed to fuel the energy and creativity of young people in these communities, helping them bring people together, generate change and make a difference."

Beyond the United States, Starbucks also supports youth action around the world. Six non-profit organizations in Canada and one in Argentina were also recently awarded Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ Youth Action Grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. There are additional proposals currently under review internationally in countries where Starbucks does business. A full list of Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ Youth Action Grantees and a summary of all of our community programs can be viewed at news.starbucks.com.

Also as part of Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ commitment to community, Starbucks set a goal to contribute over one million partner-led community service hours per year by 2015. For volunteer opportunities, visit Starbucks V2V (Volunteer to Volunteer) at www.v2v.net/starbucks.

Complete details about our community programs in 2008 can be viewed in our 2008 Global Responsibility Report launching April 22 at www.starbucks.com/sharedplanet.

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About Starbucks
Starbucks Coffee Company provides an uplifting experience that enriches people's lives one moment, one human being, one extraordinary cup of coffee at a time. To share in the experience, visit www.starbucks.com.

About Starbucks™ Shared Planet™
At Starbucks, we have always been committed to doing business responsibly and conducting ourselves in ways that earn the trust and respect of our customers, partners (employees) and neighbors. We call this Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ – our commitment to doing business responsibly. For additional information, visit www.starbucks.com/sharedplanet.

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