Starbucks to Accept Red Cross Donations for Haitian Relief Efforts in U.S. and Canada

Company Joins Wyclef Jean and Yele Haiti to Drive Awareness; Starbucks Foundation Also to Contribute $1 Million Dollars (U.S.) to the American Red Cross

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In response to the Haitian relief effort, Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) today committed support and funding to the growing international relief effort. Starting today, participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada will enable customers to make monetary donations at store registers, with no purchase necessary, to benefit the American and Canadian Red Cross organizations for a limited time. The Starbucks Foundation will also donate $1 million (U.S.) from The Starbucks Foundation to the American Red Cross efforts to help Haiti.

“The Red Cross is grateful for this global outpouring of compassion, and we encourage people to continue their support for Haiti because the need is so great.”

“We are devastated by the recent loss of life caused by the earthquake in Haiti,” said Howard Schultz, chairman and CEO, Starbucks Coffee Company. “We feel a tremendous sense of urgency to respond to the humanitarian crisis,” added Schultz.

"The generous support of Starbucks, and so many of their customers, will reach the lives of survivors in Haiti, providing help and hope," said Gail McGovern, President and CEO, American Red Cross. "The Red Cross is grateful for this global outpouring of compassion, and we encourage people to continue their support for Haiti because the need is so great."

For more information on the Red Cross disaster response in Haiti, visit www.RedCross.org.

In addition, Haitian-American musician Wyclef Jean has collaborated with Starbucks to make an appeal to the Global Community about the crucial needs of the Haitian community. To learn more about Jean’s ongoing efforts in Haiti, go to www.yele.org.

To see Jean’s message, go to www.starbucks.com.

About Starbucks Coffee Company

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.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.