For the 18th Consecutive Year, Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend Program Honors Original Roastmaster & Supports Those Impacted by Breast Cancer

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Caribou Coffee announced today that it will continue its support of those impacted by breast cancer through its 18^th annual Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend program. A tribute to Caribou's original roastmaster, Amy Erickson, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1995, the company hopes to address the common needs of those impacted by the disease with this year's unique merchandise collection and interactive social campaign.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130925/NY86037 )

The brand will offer its Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend collection both in stores and online, from September 28^th through October 31^st. For a second year in a row, 10 percent of all retail coffeehouse proceeds from the collection will be donated to CancerCare to support men and women impacted by breast cancer in Caribou communities. Caribou is proud to continue its partnership with CancerCare, a national nonprofit organization committed to helping people cope with cancer through counseling, support, education, and financial assistance.

This year, Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend coffee will also be available on the shelves of select Caribou grocery partners throughout the country, so that even more fans can participate in this important cause. For every 11 oz. bag of Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend sold in grocery stores, an additional $0.50 will be donated to CancerCare, with a total program minimum donation of $100,000 and a maximum donation of $250,000.  

"Caribou is incredibly honored to share Amy Erickson's inspiring story each year with our communities through this program," said Mike Tattersfield, president and CEO of Caribou Coffee, "Amy's Blend is dedicated to our dear friend Amy and everyone else whose courage has inspired us. We're proud to be able to give back to those in the Caribou Coffee communities through unique programs this year and in partnership with CancerCare, an organization that has such a tremendous impact on those living with the everyday challenges of cancer."

The 2013 Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend collection was created to include not only exclusive hot and cold drinkware, but also accessories such as an infinity scarf, lip gloss, hair ties and a pen, in addition to Caribou's annual coffee and tea. To help kick-start its contribution efforts, Caribou also announced that fans who purchase the new, limited-edition Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend hot tumbler starting on September 28^th will receive unlimited coffee refills at any Caribou location for the entire month of October.

In addition to offering a wide variety of Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend collection items, Caribou is also providing warmth to those in need through an innovative social campaign, "Caribou Knits."  For every message shared using #CaribouKnits on Facebook or Twitter from September 28^th through October 31^st, Caribou team member volunteers will knit one inch of a scarf. The company will transform the lobby of its headquarters into a knitting room and Caribou team member volunteers will help to knit scarves on site each day throughout the month. Every Facebook post or tweet will bring Caribou one inch closer to its goal of spreading love and coziness this season. All scarves will be donated to CancerCare to provide warmth to those impacted by breast cancer in the Caribou communities.

"Through our partnership with Caribou Coffee, we continue to make our mission of providing emotional, practical and financial support to those affected by cancer a reality," said John Rutigliano, COO of CancerCare. "We are proud to be part of a program that truly resonates with the values that our organization was founded upon nearly 70 years ago." 

To learn more about this year's Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend campaign, please watch the Caribou Knits video and visit the Caribou Coffee Amy's Blend website at www.CaribouCoffee.com/Amy.

To learn more about Caribou Coffee's commitment to corporate social responsibility, please visit the company's annual Do Good report at http://www.cariboucoffee.com/page/1/social-responsibility.jsp.

About Caribou Coffee

Founded in 1992, Caribou Coffee Company is one of the leading branded coffee companies in the United States, with a compelling multi-channel approach to their customers. Based on the number of coffeehouses, Caribou Coffee is the second largest company-operated premium coffeehouse operator in the United States. The Company's coffeehouses aspire to be the community place loved by guests who are provided an extraordinary experience that makes their day better. Caribou Coffee provides the highest quality handcrafted beverages, foods and coffee lifestyle items with a unique blend of expertise, fun and authentic human connection in a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse environment. In addition, Caribou Coffee's unique coffees are available within grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee and foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and e-commerce channels. Caribou Coffee is a proud recipient of the Rainforest Alliance Corporate Green Globe Award and is committed to operating practices that promote sustainability and environmental protection. For more information, visit the Caribou Coffee web site at www.cariboucoffee.com.

About CancerCare

Founded in 1944, CancerCare^® is the leading national organization committed to improving lives by providing professional services to help people manage the emotional and financial challenges of cancer. CancerCare's comprehensive network of quality support services includes telephone, online and in-person counseling and support groups, resource referrals, publications, education and financial and co-payment assistance. CancerCare helps 1,000,000 people each year throughout the U.S. and distributes more than $30 million in financial and co-payment assistance. All CancerCare services are provided by our large staff of professional oncology social workers and are offered completely free of charge. To learn more, visit www.cancercare.org or call 800-813-HOPE (4673).

CONTACT:
Blythe Posner
Ruder Finn, Inc.
(212) 593-6306
[email protected]

SOURCE Caribou Coffee