this is great, I would love to hear more about specific local charity partnerships and how they have made a positive impact. thanks for the good insight

Many stores have a “Community Board” where they post local events the store is involved in. (And the store manager will be happy to talk with you directly).

I wish Starbucks had a page for each store on a website. (I’ll have to suggest that to them!) But until then the company website offers information…

You can read more on the Starbucks Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) page:

http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/csr.asp

And you can get more specifics, including stories if you check out the on-line version of the CSR Annual Report (specifically the SOCIETY section):

http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/csrr…

So what is paying the Barista’s for their ‘charity’? Does it come out of Startbuck’s revenue, or is it expected to be free, forced labor?

this work doesn’t gets paid – because it’s supposed to be something that you do because you want too, or feel moved to help… no one is forced into volunteer activities, just informed and encouraged.

but i would disagree that this happens at each store, even each newly opened store. not saying that it doesn’t happen, because it does – but there aren’t automatic partnerships created, and even if they were – they don’t always continue without starbucks workers putting in the effort…

just imagine if the above poster was working at a starbucks, they certainly don’t look as though they’d take any effort to maintain or sustain a lasting relationship with anything that wouldn’t directly benefit themselves… :) it would be more accurate to highlight the multiple things that specific stores do with community involvement, and sharing individual stories – although maybe too long for an article…

My point was that the Starbucks’ personnel were forced, by social pressure, if not outright fear of loss of employment, to give their time by corporate policy.

I don’t believe charity work is necessarily beneficial, and in fact I strongly believe it masquerades the grotesque inequalities of American life. Charity is an aspect of Christian religiosity, as well as a failing of the state to provide for the less fortunate. What is presented as a virtue is really a failing.

Most people find me strongly altruistic and generous, although I don’t give large amounts of money to charities. My political contributions are to the ACLU, WBAI, and various media/political groups, and my charitable contributions are money that I regularly hand out to street people and to the fairly large tips I hand to service workers (working poor, e.g., Starbucks employees). When I have volunteered my time, it was for aims I thought would change the nature of the discourse on politics. i.e., MediaWatch.

BTW, I’ll be posting a small NY Times article about Starbucks’ union-busting, contradicting its well-groomed image as socially responsible corporation.

I suggest everyone watch BLACK GOLD the movie now out on dvd.

www.blackgoldthemovie.com