2020 began just like any other year—then, as we all know, it quickly turned into one filled with challenges. But despite how the year unfolded, our community came together like never before—rallying behind businesses, ensuring the safety of one another, and offering a helping hand to those in need.
What makes Backyard Beans distinct is our unwavering commitment to our neighbors—after all, coffee and community go hand-in-hand. And during a year where the usual buzz and chatter inside our cafés was brought to a complete halt, our community still moved us forward. When we launched the Our Backyard blend, with $5 of each bag going towards our employees, we were in awe of the support that poured in. As part of our Health Heroes program (now our Frontline Heroes program), people delivered coffee to local hospitals and healthcare workers. Neighbors spoke up for their brothers and sisters as we watched the silent protests from our café windows. Customers paid it forward by buying drinks for the next person in line. The acts of kindness were abundant—and proved to us that we are better together, even while apart.
On the first Monday of July, our community showed up to support the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Empowerment Programs, when we donated 100% of café proceeds to the organization. We wanted to keep partnering with organizations that are doing great work right in our backyard—so we launched our Make a Difference Monday campaign. Now, on the first Monday of every month, we contribute 10% of café sales to a local organization that aligns with our mission and values.
With your help, we have been able to create an impact for a wide array of causes this year. After our giving day, the NAACP, which seeks to eliminate race-based discriminations by securing the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights, was able to purchase a subscription to an online meeting service and host a variety of online events for their Ambler branch.
We worked with The Arc Alliance, located in Eagleville, in August, with funds helping families and individuals of all ages with developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and other disabilities receive a variety of exceptional services.
Our first Make a Difference Monday raised over $5,000
In September, we partnered with The AJ Foundation in Wycombe, which supports quality educational programs dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism and their families. Proceeds went towards their Comprehensive Learning Center, a private school dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism.
We supported Girls on the Run Montgomery and Delaware Counties in October, an organization offering an impactful physical activity-based, positive youth development program for adolescent girls in the area. After receiving our donation, they supplied masks to 40 girls for in-person activities.
Next, in November, we collaborated with Mitzvah Circle in Norristown, which provides material support to local individuals and families that are in crisis due to poverty, homelessness, and serious illness. With the funds from their giving day, they were able to purchase necessary women’s health products.
And, to end the year, we partnered with Inter-Faith Housing Alliance in our new community of Ambler in December, which provides shelter and support to families experiencing homelessness through their Ambler-based housing programs and food to low-income households at their food cupboard in Roslyn. Contributions enabled the organization to leverage existing resources and help ensure families regain independence quickly and cost-effectively.
