Standard Coffee Service Company Partners With The Idea Village to Provide Grants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2005
(New Orleans) – Standard Coffee Service Company and The Idea Village have established a fund to assist local business owners who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The fund, called Beans for New Orleans will be used to help disaster victims rebuild their businesses in the aftermath of the storm.
Standard Coffee Service, a division of The Standard Companies, Inc., is the first corporate partner to join The Idea Village Entrepreneur Assistance & Resource Network (EARN), a nationwide initiative to assist New Orleans entrepreneurs in the rebuilding of their businesses. “New Orleans is not only our corporate headquarters but it is also our home. It only made sense for us to reach out to help fellow businesses,” said The Standard Companies President and CEO Anthony Gregorio. “The Idea Village is a natural partner to help us assist small business entrepreneurs in the New Orleans region”. Standard has advanced $5,000 to launch the fund.”
Standard Coffee will promote special New Orleans blended dessert coffees including Crescent City Caramel, Blueberry Beignet, Mardi Gras Macaroon, Pecan Praline and Bread Pudding Souffle to its national account base and will contribute $10 on every case sold. Additionally, individuals will be encouraged to make their own direct contribution to the fund through the Beans for New Orleans web site, www.beansforneworleans.com.
Entrepreneurs who can establish that they were in business prior to August 29, 2005 and whose businesses are located in the 10 parish New Orleans region will be eligible for the grants. “We have high hopes for this initiative,” said Tim Williamson, president of The Idea Village. “And we’re especially excited to have a respected corporate partner like Standard Coffee take the lead in expanding our entrepreneur support network. We encourage more companies to follow.”
About Standard Coffee Service Company
Housed in an original coffee roasting plant in the city’s central business district, Standard is one of the oldest and largest national coffee service providers in the country. Founded in 1919, Standard is welcoming residents and workers back to the city with complimentary morning coffee to symbolize the dawn of a new era for New Orleans. Standard coffee vans, manned by displaced local employees, are rolling through the city offering cups of gourmet coffee. Several free standing coffee stands are also providing coffee to those without electricity or clean water. For more information on Standard Coffee Service or to make a contribution to the Beans for New Orleans fund, visit us at www.coffeeservice.com.
About The Idea Village
The Idea Village is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to encourage a culture of innovation and to provide the focused tools and resources necessary to accelerate the development of high-growth entrepreneurial ventures based in New Orleans. The Idea Village assists high-growth businesses by providing in-depth business consultation, including setting operational goals, advising and consulting on strategic business matters, connecting entrepreneurs to business mentors, and by facilitating access to professional services and capital resources.
Since its formal inception in 2002, The Idea Village has become the primary driver for entrepreneurship in New Orleans, supported by more than 300 individuals, corporations, local foundations, Tulane University, University of New Orleans, Greater New Orleans, Inc., the City of New Orleans, and the State of Louisiana.
