News

Caribou Coffee kicks off campaign to fight breast cancer

September 26, 2013

On Sept. 28, Caribou Coffee will kick off its 18th annual Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend program to fight breast cancer.

The campaign was created as a tribute to Caribou's original roastmaster, Amy Erickson, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1995. It runs through Oct. 31.

During that time, Amy's Blend will be available in stores and online. For a second year in a row, 10 percent of all retail coffeehouse proceeds from the collection will be donated to CancerCare to support men and women impacted by breast cancer in Caribou communities.

Also this year, Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend coffee will be available at select Caribou grocery partners throughout the country. For every 11 oz. bag of Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend sold in grocery stores, an additional 50 cents will be donated to CancerCare, with a total program minimum donation of $100,000 and a maximum donation of $250,000.

"Caribou is incredibly honored to share Amy Erickson's inspiring story each year with our communities through this program," said Mike Tattersfield, president and CEO of Caribou Coffee, "Amy's Blend is dedicated to our dear friend Amy and everyone else whose courage has inspired us. We're proud to be able to give back to those in the Caribou Coffee communities through unique programs this year and in partnership with CancerCare, an organization that has such a tremendous impact on those living with the everyday challenges of cancer."

The 2013 Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend collection includes exclusive hot and cold drinkware, as well as accessories such as an infinity scarf, lip gloss, hair ties and a pen, in addition to Caribou's annual coffee and tea. To help kick-start its contribution efforts, Caribou also announced that fans who purchase the new, limited-edition Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend hot tumbler starting Sept. 28 will receive unlimited coffee refills at any Caribou location for the entire month of October.

The campaign also features a social campaign called "Caribou Knits." For every message shared using #CaribouKnits on Facebook or Twitter from Sept. 28 through Oct. 31, Caribou team member volunteers will knit 1 inch of a scarf. The company will transform the lobby of its headquarters into a knitting room and Caribou team member volunteers will help to knit scarves on site each day throughout the month. All scarves will be donated to CancerCare to provide warmth to those impacted by breast cancer.

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