Yesterday, I received an email in my inbox that was forwarded to me through a number of other people. Its original writer was Sgt. Wright. It was talking about some marines in Iraq commenting to Starbucks about how they really enjoyed their coffee, and requesting some free coffee. Sgt Wright stated that Starbucks sent a reply back, saying that they did not support the war or anyone involved in the war - and that they, therefore, wouldn't send the soldiers free coffee. Like anyone who supports the troops (though not necessarily the war)in Iraq, I was quite upset over this email. It did request that I forward it on to others. I would have, except that it referred to Starbucks as Star*ucks. I knew that most of my friends and relatives would have been offended by this, so I kept the email from going on (at least through my inbox).
So is the story true? I did a little bit of research on my own to find out. It's amazing what one email, forwarded to many others can do. It's amazing how many of these emails are believed to be true, without even researching to find out otherwise. Then these emails are forwarded to others, who believe them, and so on, and so forth...So goes the email chain letter. It appears that this story started emerging in late April of '04. This is when it is said to have shown up in an email to Starbucks. Starbucks responded to the email, and asked about the events leading up to the response in question. It appears it all originated with a Sgt. Wright, who is currently stationed in the U.S., but will be deployed overseas in the next couple of months. It also appears that he heard the story from friends, who heard it from friends, who heard it from friends...He became "hot under the collar," as many soldier might, and the email started appearing - being forwarded all over the place.
So is the story true? My first response to this email was that if Starbucks just took a stand to support the soldiers, not the war, they could make this into a great publicity campaign. That would seem to be a logical thing to do, in my estimations. Then again, I'm just an average person. I have no corporate experience. I think I'd be in way over my head, especially after reading Starbuck's response to this issue.
Starbucks denies these allegations. They do not directly refute the rumor, and at least provide somewhat of an answer. Though an employee from anywhere could have written up this actual response to the Marines, they do not admit to making such a response. They also state that the marines have been unable to produce Starbuck's supposed reply. "No copy of the letter appears to exist," they state.
Starbucks went on to say that they, as a company, cannot directly donate coffee or money to the military. However, Starbucks employees are said to receive a free pound of coffee each week, as an employee benefit. Some are reported to have elected to send their coffee to military, military families, and other related organizations. Starbucks stated that it is against corporate policy to donate coffee or money to the military. The policy keeps charitable donations to communities where its stores are located. They also don't consider requests from funding form any political or religious organization.
I understand the policy against donating to any controversial organization. What I don't understand is why they keep their charitable donations local. It sounds to me like they're not really donating from the heart, but donating in hopes that the money will all come back to them in some form or fashion.