STRATEGIC PARTNERS
October 15, 2011
Starbucks Coffee Japan has announced the establishment of the Starbucks CUP Fund (Caring Unites Partners) to help with relief and recovery efforts following the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11. Affected partners (employees) in Japan will be eligible to receive cash grants based on their needs and situations. Established with the help of a personal donation of $1 million by CEO Howard Schultz, and his wife, Sheri, the CUP Fund will continue on and provide support for partners in the future as well.
The CUP Fund, which currently operates in the U.S., Canada and China, was inspired and created by a group of partners in 1999. The program empowers partners to help other partners experiencing significant hardship due to catastrophic circumstances beyond their control, including natural disasters. All partners are eligible to apply for assistance. This program is funded solely by partner contributions and fundraising activities.
"Our partners remain at the heart of our business," Schultz said. "Initiatives like the CUP Fund are part of our core values as a company. As we celebrate our 15th anniversary in Japan, I'm proud to continue our tradition of bringing together people in communities where we do business."
The Starbucks Foundation and Starbucks Coffee Japan contributed $1.2 million to the Red Cross for relief efforts in Japan. As a company, Starbucks has used its store footprint around the world to help customers support donations to the Red Cross and other relief organizations. To date, Red Cross donations through stores in the U.S. and Canada have generated more than $280,000.
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