Next time you grab your Starbucks coffee, you could be helping the millions of AIDS sufferers in Africa.
The coffee giant has partnered with Bono's Product (RED) to offer customers the opportunity to make their purchase at Starbucks stores with the new (STARBUCKS) RED Card, a stored value Card that can be given as a gift or purchased for personal use at participating stores in the U.S. and Canada. And the really great thing is, every time a customer uses this Card to make a purchase at Starbucks, five cents will go directly to the Global Fund to help save lives in Africa.
The initiative builds on the partnership reported by Look To The Stars last October that saw Starbucks create three exclusive new drinks to raise money for (RED).
Starbucks partnership with (RED) extends it commitment to Africa, a key coffee growing region. Starbucks currently buys coffee from 10 African countries including Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
“The collective effort in just over two weeks time reflects the spirit of Starbucks customers, even during difficult times, to create change and do something good every day,” said Michelle Gass, executive vice president, Marketing and Category. “We’re excited to create even more opportunities for our customers to do good everyday with the introduction of the (STARBUCKS) RED Card in January. Our partnership with (RED) not only helps reinforce Starbucks connection to Africa, it provides an opportunity to raise awareness with Starbucks customers of a critical issue facing the coffee growing region.”
Customers who register their (STARBUCKS) RED Card on Starbucks.com/card will become a member and also receive money-saving benefits and exclusive offers through the Starbucks Card Rewards program such as free refills on brewed coffee; free select syrups and milk options like soy milk or whip cream; and up to two consecutive hours of complimentary Wi-Fi daily at participating Starbucks in the U.S.
“RED is coming to a corner near you thanks to Starbucks,” said Bono. “I’m very excited to be able to say that. It’s pretty mind-blowing to think that millions of people can buy RED going about their daily lives and in doing so raise millions of dollars to fight AIDS in Africa. That’s not a bad hit from your caffeine.”
