Montrose Coffee Bean Leads in Donations to Troops Overseas

Nothing smells or tastes better than a steaming mug of coffee in the morning, whether you’re drinking it in a comfty leather chair in the or on the frontlines in southern Afghanistan.

And so, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf are sending our troops something they say they crave—a good cup of coffee—through their “Support from Home” campaign. The Bean’s staff asks customers, “Would you like to donate a bag of coffee to our troops overseas?” as they place their orders at the register.

Christi Anne Upma, a Montrose resident, bought one such bag (emblazened with the American flag) to be donated to the troops. Her personal message on the bag read: “Dear Heroes, thank you for giving grace under pressure and honor for the glory of our country. We are proud of you and send love and prayers.”

Upma donated the coffee without a second thought.  “Who doesn’t want to do something that makes you feel good? It’s important to spread random acts of kindness.”

As she left the store, Upma placed her coffee bag alongside dozens of other donated bags on the counter in front of the nuova Simonelli espresso machine. Inside each bag was a blend of medium dark roast coffee with a black cherry and dark chocolate flavor. But just as delicious were the heartfelt messages of support and gratitude that customers had penned on the outside of the bags.

“My entire staff believes in this cause. It’s not just another question at the register,” says Colin Lublin, manager of the Montrose Coffee Bean. Robin Kegler, one of his 22 employees, has sold 186  “Support from Home” coffee bags and tea tins at the Montrose store since June 27, when this year’s program began. Because of efforts like Kegler’s, the Montrose store leads in customer donations throughout the Coffee Bean Company.

Lublin says that customer support has been overwhelmingly positive.  “Montrose is a very involved and giving community.” More than 640 bags have been donated in just three weeks.  “In the next few weeks, our soldiers will start getting our coffee and tea,” said Lublin, "and we’ll receive letters and photos from battalions and platoons which will be placed on the Bean’s bulletin board."

Last week, while Lublin was working the register, he asked a customer, “Do you want to buy a bag of coffee to send over to the troops?”  When the customer picked up the bag, he said, “Hey, you guys sent me one of these when I was on duty in the Middle East.”  The former Marine bought a bag, excited to share it with another soldier.

Janice Gilden, a customer from La Crescenta, says the program is a great idea. “It’s a win-win for everybody. The customer has an easy opportunity to support the troops. The Coffee Bean is doing something for the community and the troops benefit from it.”

Last year, “Support from Home” provided 1.7 million cups of coffee (65,336 bags) to active duty U.S soldiers serving abroad. In addition, Coffee Bean contributed $95,000 to the Fisher House Foundation, which provides resources to support injured veterans and their families. The delivery of the coffee and tea to overseas troops is facilitated through Soldiers’ Angels, a volunteer-led non-profit organization.

Mel Elias, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf President & CEO, says,  “We hope that the small comfort of a cup of coffee or tea will remind our troops that there are people at home who are thinking of them and the sacrifices they make on our behalf.” This is the fifth year of the program, which runs until September 12.

To participate, simply head over to the Coffee Bean and buy a bag of coffee or tin of tea; and when you do, you'll also receive a complimentary tea or coffee.

“Anyone who donates a bag of coffee or tin tea receives a complimentary coffee or tea,” says Lublin. You can also visit www.coffeebean.com/supportfromhome/ for more information.