SCA Donates $205,000 to Louisiana Coffee Businesses and Hourly Workers Impacted by Hurricane Ida

The Specialty Coffee Association has donated $205,000 to two organizations that support Louisiana coffee businesses and hourly coffee workers impacted by Hurricane Ida. This figure represents 50% of all attendee revenue generated by the SCA at the Specialty Coffee Expo in New Orleans from September 30 to October 3.

We have donated $205,000 to Go Fund Bean and the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation (LHF). Our two partner organizations collect applications and process grants to businesses and hourly coffee workers impacted by Hurricane Ida. Go Fund Bean and the LHF have supported the hospitality industry during times of crisis, and we are very proud to partner with them to support the Louisiana coffee community.

Go Fund Bean is distributing funds to individual hourly coffee workers impacted by Hurricane Ida in the form of $500 grants. Eligible Louisiana coffee workers in need of assistance are encouraged to apply on Go Fund Bean’s website: https://form.jotform.com/212515758156156. 

The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation will distribute grants of $1,000 to coffee businesses in the 25 Louisiana parishes identified by FEMA as devastated areas. Depending on the number of applications received and the number of additional donations from the global coffee community, the LHF hopes to award higher dollar amounts to grantees. Louisiana coffee business owners may apply for these funds on the LHF website: https://www.louisianahospitalityfoundation.org/coffee/. 

THANK YOU, NEW ORLEANS

All of us at the SCA are so thankful to the New Orleans coffee community for hosting the Specialty Coffee Expo this past week. We hope that this donation, while small, will help you all continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic and the recent storm. The Expo came to visit at a tough time, under challenging circumstances, and we hope that the event has contributed positively to your city. We can’t wait to see you again. 

GO FUND BEAN HURRICANE RELIEF

Go Fund Bean has been fundraising to provide financial relief to hourly coffee workers who lost wages or had other extra costs associated with damage caused by Hurricane Ida. If you are an hourly coffee worker who has been adversely impacted and needs financial assistance, this is for you!

Hourly coffee workers: Apply on the Go Fund Bean website>>

LOUISIANA HOSPITALITY FOUNDATION RELIEF

The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation will distribute funds by providing $1,000 grants to coffee businesses. Applicants must be a coffee industry business operating in one of the 25 parishes identified by FEMA as devastated by Hurricane Ida. 

Coffee business owners: Apply on the LHF website >>

JOIN US BY DONATING TO GO FUND BEAN AND LOUISIANA HOSPITALITY FOUNDATION

Are you looking for a way to support coffee businesses and hourly workers affected by Hurricane Ida? The SCA has donated $205,000 towards this effort but you can help increase the amount of money available to coffee people in Louisiana! Coffee businesses and professionals interested in joining our efforts are encouraged to donate directly to Go Fund Bean and the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation.