Starbucks announced the results of its Vote, Give, Grow in-store donation program. Hike for KaTREEna, a non-profit organization whose aim is to replant trees that were lost during the disaster, received the greatest number of votes, which entitles it to the top-valued $50,000 grant. Two other local organizations, Young Leadership Council, which engages young professionals in community projects, and KaBOOM!, whose mission is to create play spaces within walking distance of every child in America, will each receive $25,000 grants.

Starbucks created the Vote, Give, Grow program to involve its partners (employees) and customers in the company’s neighborhood improvement efforts, and to increase awareness of the need for ongoing support in New Orleans. From September 1-27, customers at 21 Starbucks stores in the Greater New Orleans area were invited to drop a token into a voting bank to show support for the organization of their choice: Hike for KaTREEna, Young Leadership Council, or KaBOOM!. These beneficiaries were nominated to participate in the program by local Starbucks partners.

Vote, Give, Grow is part of Starbucks $5 million commitment to help rebuild communities in the Greater New Orleans area. To date, Starbucks has distributed $4.7 million to non-profit organizations that are dedicated to building and repairing homes and revitalizing public spaces. The will be directed toward holistic community programs that focus on education, employment, health, housing, and safety. In addition to awarding grants, the company plans to contribute service hours, training, and tools to organizations that are striving to make a long-term impact.