Caribou Coffee Donating to Anna Marie’s Alliance During Grand Opening Weekend

(KNSI) – The grand opening weekend for the first Caribou Coffee in east St. Cloud will help raise money for a women’s shelter for survivors of domestic violence in St. Cloud.

The fifth Caribou Coffee location opened earlier this week and is celebrating its new location by donating to Anna Marie’s Alliance.

Caribou Coffee District Manager Joe Kraft said $1 from every sale on Saturday and Sunday will go to the shelter and advocacy agency.

Anna Marie’s Director of Development and Communications, Lori Eich, said the shelter needs support, and this is a great way to help the shelter.

“Who doesn’t like a cup of coffee and who doesn’t like to support a local organization?” said Anna Marie’s Director of Development and Communications Lori Eich. “It’s going to be great. Through the pandemic, demand for our services never waned. Domestic cases are happening just as much as they were before.”

Anna Marie’s Alliance has had a relationship with Caribou for several years.

Lori says the business community is essential to the success of the shelter.

“Every time we have a community partner, it’s amazing. It’s spreading the word about domestic violence. It’s spreading the word about how to teach kids what healthy relationships look like. It spreads awareness of the work we do every day.”

In 2020, 428 adults and children stayed at the shelter, and Anna Marie’s provided another 1,800 women, men, and children support through community advocacy.

The newest Caribou Coffee location is off of Highway 23 at 310 Lincoln Avenue.

The coffee shop is built on the site of the Gateway Motel, which was torn down last fall.