The Coffee Shops’ crew wraps up a nationwide food drive

By Dani Sheehan. 

What began as a simple idea quickly became something much bigger: a shared effort powered by generosity, teamwork and the belief that even small acts of kindness can create lasting impact. 

At The Coffee Shops™, community means showing up for neighbors, lending a hand when it’s needed and using our collective reach to make a real difference. Throughout the beginning of 2026, we ran a nationwide food and supply drive, where crew members and our partners across the country gathered pantry staples, hygiene products and everyday essentials for local food banks and community organizations. 

With crew members and supporters participating from multiple regions, donations were delivered to organizations helping families, children, students and individuals facing food insecurity. From in-person drop-offs to online contributions through Amazon wishlists, the drive made it easy for people to take part however they could. 

A crew united by compassion 

For many crew members, participating in the drive was deeply personal. Drake Porter, industry relations coordinator, shared: 

I love giving back! The opportunity to give to those in my community that needing everyday basics warms my heart. Kindness doesn't have to be complicated. The simplest act — providing a pair of socks — can mean the world to someone. 

Emma Richardson, account manager, was integral in bringing this drive together and reflected on why taking action was so important: 

It was important to me to run a food drive because food insecurity is a critical issue in my community. Late last year, the strain on local resources reached a breaking point, and we were forced to confront the fragility of systems so many people depend on for survival. While we couldn't fix everything, it was impossible to do nothing. Our food drive is a drop in a very large ocean, but strong communities are built on collective effort, and this is an exciting first step! 

In Bend, Oregon, Lauren White, our editor-in-chief, saw firsthand what can happen when communities collaborate. She shared: 

Being a part of this supply drive for our local communities has been a meaningful experience. It's amazing to see our crew come together to support so many different groups of people. The Central Oregon National Women in Roofing council agreed to partner with The Coffee Shops (TCS) to help further expand the reach of this drive and we received a lot of donations here! Having the Amazon wishlist was really convenient for people who weren't able to drop items off at a physical location. 

We wish we could have donated to all of the organizations in Central Oregon who are serving our neighbors in need. We decided to donate our supplies to The Giving Plate because of their mission: ‘To end hunger by reimagining what food relief looks like, creating a place where guests feel seen and cared for. A community that affirms every person’s inherent worth and dignity.’ They also have a food pantry for kids (Kid's Korner & Kid’s Korner Mobile Pantry) as well as provide weekend food bags for K-12 students in over 30 Bend/La Pine schools with food for the weekend to eliminate gaps in access to food.  

I dropped off the donations at The Giving Plate, and they were very happy to receive all of the food items and travel size shampoo and conditioner bottles that were donated by various people in Central Oregon. 

I'm proud of our efforts and grateful to be a small part in the TCS Supply Drive and look forward to even more supply drives in the future! 

For Emma Peterson, senior content developer, the drive also connected to personal experience: 

Food resources like food banks and pantries are so important. I remember how game-changing the local one was for me when I was in school, and last fall truly showed how crucial these community programs are to our neighbors’ wellbeing. This drive was a great opportunity to pay it forward after the help I have received and support the communities around us. 

More than a donation drive 

While the boxes of food and supplies made a tangible difference, this effort was about more than what was collected. It highlights connection, coworkers rallying around a cause, partners stepping up to help and communities seeing that they are not alone. 

We’re incredibly grateful to every person who donated, shared the drive, partnered locally or helped coordinate efforts behind the scenes. Your generosity turned a company initiative into something truly meaningful. 

The need for community support continues year-round. We hope this effort inspires others to look around their own neighborhoods and ask how they can help, whether that means donating food, volunteering time or supporting local organizations doing essential work every day. 

We believe strong communities are built when people show up for one another. Thanks to our crew and supporters nationwide, that belief was put into action.