In the heart of Sevierville, Tennessee, the Black Rifle Coffee Company, a veteran-owned and veteran-founded enterprise, has taken a bold step to address a pressing issue within the military community – food insecurity. Through their recent "Can For a Cup" campaign, the company has rallied customers to donate canned goods, highlighting the alarming statistic that one in six active-duty families struggle to put food on the table.
Serving Those Who Serve: Black Rifle Coffee's Commitment to Military Families
Addressing a Pressing Need
The Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey for 2023 has shed light on the troubling reality faced by many military households. The report reveals that a staggering one in six active-duty families are unsure of where their next meal will come from. This sobering statistic has galvanized the team at Black Rifle Coffee, a company founded on the principles of supporting the military community."When we see statistics like that, we're just like 'We have to do something,'" said Dean Goble, the Director of Philanthropy at Black Rifle Coffee. "It's literally what we are as a company." Goble, a veteran himself, takes this issue personally, driven by a deep-rooted desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who have served.A Simple Solution with a Lasting Impact
In response to the growing need, Black Rifle Coffee launched their "Can For a Cup" campaign, a month-long initiative that invited customers to bring in canned goods in exchange for a free cup of coffee. The idea was straightforward, yet its impact has the potential to be far-reaching."We noticed there was a big shortage, so we thought 'What can we do?' and kept it simple," explained Goble. By making the process easy and accessible for customers, Black Rifle Coffee has tapped into the generosity of its community, harnessing their collective efforts to support those in need.Expanding the Reach: A Nationwide Effort
While the recent campaign in Sevierville has come to a close, the team at Black Rifle Coffee is determined to take this initiative to a much larger scale. Their goal is to replicate this model across their nationwide network of coffee shops, amplifying their impact and reaching even more military families in need."We're founded on two things and that is one to just make amazing coffee and that's a given and how to help the military at large," said Goble. "To us, it's the least we could do. I mean what we do is serving those who serve."A Call to Action: Lawmakers and the Community
The issue of food insecurity among military families has also caught the attention of local lawmakers, such as Congressman Tim Burchett. Burchett, who has long championed single-item spending bills as a way to address the nation's spiraling national debt, recognizes the importance of prioritizing support for veterans and active-duty service members."Until we prioritize it, it's going to continue," Burchett said on Veterans Day, emphasizing the need for sustained action. The congressman has expressed a desire to learn from the successes of programs like Black Rifle Coffee's initiative, with the aim of replicating and expanding upon effective strategies to combat this pressing problem.As the Black Rifle Coffee team continues to lead the charge, the broader community is called upon to join in the effort. By supporting initiatives that address the needs of military families, individuals and organizations can play a vital role in ensuring that those who have sacrificed for their country are not left behind.
