News from Scout supporter Ethical Bean Coffee Company

Vancouver, BC | Beginning December 1st, Ethical Bean Coffee will donate $1 from every unit of coffee sold to help the children of Guatemala. Now in its fifth year running, the charitable holiday initiative, Kids to School, will split donations between two organizations: Child Aid’s FUNDIT and Project Somos. Arguably the most important of Ethical Bean’s sponsorship programs, the funds raised to date have resulted in 345 elementary school scholarships and over $10,000 towards the building of a village for orphaned children in Guatemala.

This year’s Kids to School program will incorporate sales from US giant amazon.com and will give the 2009 edition even more fundraising power; leaving little doubt that this December’s Kids to School will raise even more than the record $21,949 raised Canada-wide in December of 2008. The 2009 charitable holiday initiative will benefit both Child Aid’s FUNDIT and Project Somos. FUNDIT provides children in Guatemala with the finances for school registration fees, uniforms, school supplies, shoes and textbooks, and when necessary, transportation costs and health care for a year. Project Somos is a Vancouver based non-profit organization that is committed to building a village in Guatemala for abandoned and orphaned children. Once completed the village will provide homes for 49 children, complete with organic gardens and orchards. There will also be buildings for art and music workshops, a library, and of course a large playground and soccer field.

Ethical Bean founders Lloyd Bernhardt and Kim Schachte have a deep connection to the children of Guatemala. The two spent four months in the country in 1999 while adopting their daughter Mia. In the process the couple toured coffee farms, and learned about the plight that many Guatemalans face just trying to earn a living for their families. Lloyd and Kim were so moved by their experience they returned to Canada and started Ethical Bean Coffee. From the beginning the two have maintained a commitment to the people and children of Guatemala.

Ethical Bean Coffee is available at select retailers across Canada and online at amazon.com. Please visit www.ethicalbean.com for retail locations and more information. For more information on Child Aid’s FUNDIT or Project Somos, please visit www.child-aid.org and www.projectsomos.org.

About Ethical Bean

Ethical Bean Coffee Company roasts only 100% Fair Trade Certified and certified organic shade grown coffees from around the world. The Vancouver, BC, based company is committed to ensuring small-scale farmers receive a fair price for their efforts so they can sustain their businesses and provide a decent standard of living for their families. Ethical Bean coffee is roasted in Vancouver in a 100% carbon neutral facility built to LEED CI standards.

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