Starbucks Works with Local Groups to Support New Orleans’ Rebuilding Efforts

10,000 Starbucks Employees and Local Organizations Partner on Community Service Projects around the City as Part of 2008 Leadership Conference

SEATTLE & NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) announced today the participation of 10,000 of its partners (employees) in four days of community service projects across New Orleans from October 27 through 30. The events are part of the Starbucks 2008 Leadership Conference in New Orleans. The efforts represent the single largest block of community support in the history of New Orleans – mobilizing 10,000 people, contributing more than 54,000 volunteer hours and investing more than $1 million in local projects.

“Being involved in the communities we serve is part of our heritage and is engrained in who we are as a company”

“Being involved in the communities we serve is part of our heritage and is engrained in who we are as a company,” said Rodney Hines, Starbucks director of community investments. “We feel that New Orleans provides us with a unique opportunity to get involved in a big way – bigger even than the hours spent volunteering. Not only is New Orleans a wonderful host for our conference, but we can also work with its citizens to help rebuild community in this historic and culturally rich city.”

Attendees of the Starbucks Leadership Conference will participate in community service projects during the week. The projects are made possible with the help of the following associations and nonprofit organizations: Beacon of Hope Resource Center, Crescent City Art Project, Hike for KaTREEna (in cooperation with the New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways), KaBOOM!, New Orleans City Park, New Orleans Food and Farm Network, Rebuilding Together™ New Orleans and Trinity Christian Community.

The projects will take place in some of the New Orleans neighborhoods where there is momentum in recovery: Broadmoor, Gentilly and Hollygrove, as well as in City Park and a school in the Garden District. The work will assist with the restoration of homes, parks and schools – including painting, landscaping, cleaning up, planting trees, building playgrounds and creating artistic murals. All events have been organized with the assistance of these associations and local community-based groups to ensure that every project is of value to the New Orleans community.

These activities build on the support the company has provided the New Orleans community since hurricanes Rita and Katrina. In 2005, the Starbucks Foundation and Starbucks Coffee Company pledged $5 million over five years to assist in the recovery and rebuilding of the Gulf Coast.

More information about each project and the participating organization can be found through Starbucks online social network site V2V at www.v2v.net/starbucks. Starbucks V2V is an online extension of the in-store Starbucks community. For years, Starbucks stores have served as community gathering places, welcoming customers and encouraging creativity and connection with others. V2V offers an online forum where our partners and customers can plan community events, join others and act upon their passion to improve the communities where they live and work.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.