SEATTLE, March 24, 2011 - In celebration of the company's 40^th anniversary, Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) is partnering with nonprofit organizations around the world to host a global month of service throughout April. Part of Starbucks company-wide commitment to create thriving neighborhoods wherever it does business, the global month of service invites partners (employees) and customers to roll up their sleeves and participate in service projects to help create positive, sustainable change in neighborhoods around the world.

Starbucks partners (employees) and volunteers help build a playground. Sign up for volunteer events in your community during the Starbucks global month of service this April at www.starbucks.com/communityservice. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Involvement in our communities and neighborhoods is something Starbucks has been passionate about since our inception," said Vivek Varma, executive vice president, Public Affairs, Starbucks Coffee Company. "By mobilizing our partners and customers to be change makers in their communities, we're tapping into a passionate network of people eager to be a force for good in the neighborhoods where they live and work."

Global Month of Service Goals

With a focus on benefiting youth and the environment, Starbucks is working with nonprofit organizations around the world to host a variety of service projects throughout April. Harnessing the power of more than 200,000 partners globally, and more than 50 million customers served worldwide each week, the company has set a goal of 200,000 hours of community service to be volunteered during this global month of service.

According to data from the HandsOn Network, the value of this one month of service equals approximately US$4.2 million to these nonprofits across the globe, and is equivalent to almost 100 people engaged in service full time – 40 hours a week – for an entire year. To give examples of the impact that can be achieved in 200,000 hours, volunteers could remove four million pounds of debris from 200,000 small parks or improve schools for 4,000 students.

"This is a powerful example of the type of impact a group of dedicated individuals can have when they work together to create change, and the positive effect a company can have on local communities by leveraging its scale for good," said Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light Institute and co-founder of HandsOn Network. "Starbucks understands that people must be at the center of change and Points of Light Institute is proud to be partnering with them to help inspire, equip and mobilize their service."

As part of Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ goals, the company has made a commitment to contribute more than one million hours of community service per year by 2015. The volunteer hours during this global month of service will help Starbucks reach that goal.

Nonprofit Partners and Activities

Starbucks is teaming up with nonprofit organizations across the globe and the following are examples of planned projects identified to help address real needs in local communities, including:

• April 5, London: In conjunction with UK Youth and the Irish Youth Foundation, volunteers will focus on making improvements to community spaces around Westminster and Waterloo, including gardening and painting projects.
• April 9, Los Angeles: Working with the HandsOn Network and the Volunteer Center of Los Angeles, participants will transform the south Los Angeles community of Hyde Park and Vermont Square by giving neighborhood schools and a local park a much-needed makeover.
• April 16, Toronto: In partnership with Volunteer Canada, this event will focus on the Jane/ Finch Community and Family Centre where volunteers will connect with residents as well as build educational gardens, a greenhouse, a rainwater catchment system, composters, fencing and retaining walls.
• April 23, New York: Along with HandsOn Network, generationOn and New York Cares, participants will make improvements to parks and local shelters in West Harlem and assemble gift baskets for local residents in need.
• April 25, Shanghai: Partnering with Charyou, this initiative will build a green neighborhood for the Gumei community in Shanghai's Minhang District. In addition to gardening, painting, and setting up a rubbish management system, activities will also educate residents on leading environmentally friendly lifestyles.
• April 30, Seattle: With the HandsOn Network, United Way of King County and Seattle Works, volunteers in Seattle will renovate local schools and parks in the Mount Baker neighborhood.

To learn more about the Starbucks global month of service and to register for service projects in the U.S. and Canada, visit www.starbucks.com/communityservice or a local Starbucks store.

About Starbucks Corporation

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest-quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6658420&lang=en

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