Beyond the cup. - Starbucks

In the event of a natural disaster,Starbucks first ensures the safetyand well-being of our partnerswho have been affected. Wethen seek to provide a helpinghand – from financial vouchersand access to the company’semployee assistance plan tocash grants from our partnersupportedCUP (Caring UnitesPartners) Fund. Starbuckswas there for our partnersduring the 2004 South Asiatsunami and for our U.S.partners during the2005 hurricane season.(More informationon page 70.)Lawrence Duncan (center, above) evacuated from New Orleans before HurricaneKatrina but didn’t imagine that he would be unable to return home. Insteadhe ended up across the country in Tacoma, Washington, working once again forStarbucks after hearing that local stores were offering positions to displaced partners.Lawrence was greeted at the airport by Gretchen Coker (left, above), a partnerresources manager, and invited to stay at the home of Jeff Backman (right, above)a Starbucks barista who is now Lawrence’s co-worker.63WORKPLACE