Steph Gandza, Waterdown Starbucks: Matching Funds for Mental Health

By Julie-Marie Innes, Communication Volunteer  |  January 19th

Starbucks believes giving back is not just an obligation, but a responsibility and that is why it continues to support mental health initiatives whenever it can.

Waterdown's Starbucks not only rallies its team of employees, or 'partners' as they are called, to help community causes - they go above and beyond.

"We reach out to our entire district of partners and stores to get involved with this Coldest Night of the Year walk," says Starbucks Assistant Manager, Steph Gandza.

This February, stores in Paris, Brantford and Hamilton Mountain are banding together to either walk the 5km starting at Waterdown Memorial Park, or participate remotely in their own neighborhoods.

"We want to make an impact," adds Steph. “Whatever our team makes, Starbucks will match it 100%.”

During COVID especially, the mental health of customers and partners was top of mind for the international company. Funds from Coldest Night of the Year go to Eagles Nest to ensure mental health services are available and Steph says that pledge "hits home for a lot of partners who struggled, or are still struggling."

February’s wintry walk will also include freshly brewed Starbucks’ coffee for walkers and volunteers, just another part of the company’s commitment to giving back.