Starbucks Honors LUM with $1,000 Grant

All Local Starbucks Locations Join & Select LUM

**FIRST ROW – L to R:** Risé McCormick (Sachem Blvd. W. Lafayette), Ernesto Muñoz-Pickett (Veteran’s Memorial Pkwy. Lafayette), Hayley Holeton (SR43 Battleground), Azrielle Nunnally (District Manager Lafayette/W. Lafayette), Mason McConnell Curry (LUM Homeless Services director)
**SECOND ROW – L to R:** Celeste Gaeta (SR43 Battleground), Colleen Pitty (231 W. Lafayette), Millie Rainwater (Main St. Lafayette), Wes Tillett (LUM executive director), Layla Grimes (Brown St. W. Lafayette), Edward Collins (Sagamore & Salisbury W. Lafayette), Erin Blalock (Creasy Lafayette)

Local Starbucks Managers Surprise LUM with Neighborhood Grant

Local Starbucks’ store managers, along with the district manager, recently visited LUM to present a $1,000 donation in support of LUM Homeless Services. This generous gift was both a meaningful and unexpected surprise—and part of Starbucks’ ongoing commitment to making a difference in the communities they serve.

The Starbucks Foundation Neighborhood Grants Program

The donation was awarded through The Starbucks Foundation Neighborhood Grants program, which empowers Starbucks partners (employees) and alumni to nominate grassroots, community-led nonprofit organizations for funding. Now in its sixth year, the 2025 Neighborhood Grants program is awarding over $5.4 million to more than 3,200 local organizations across North America, all nominated by Starbucks partners. The program helps build sustained local impact and inspires year-round engagement between Starbucks partners and nonprofit organizations like LUM.

A Longstanding Partnership

Starbucks has long been one of LUM’s most valued community partners. As the founding partner of the LUM Food Rescue Initiative, Starbucks continues to donate surplus food to LUM three times each week—benefiting our Protein Food Pantry, Emergency Shelter, and Youth Programs.

A Special Recognition

Pictured L to R: Mason McConnell Curry, LUM Homeless Services director; Wes Tillett, LUM executive director; and Ernesto Muñoz-Pickett

During the visit, the Starbucks managers toured the LUM Emergency Shelter and presented the donation and a certificate to LUM leadership. In turn, LUM staff took the opportunity to recognize one of their own—Ernesto Muñoz-Pickett, a local Starbucks manager and dedicated LUM volunteer. Ernesto has served more than 400 hours at the LUM Emergency Shelter. LUM surprised him with a certificate of appreciation, sparking a spontaneous and heartfelt celebration by his Starbucks colleagues, many of whom were previously unaware—but not surprised—by his extraordinary commitment.

Thank You to Starbucks

LUM extends our sincere gratitude to The Starbucks Foundation, our local Starbucks partners, and especially to Ernesto for their generous support and ongoing partnership. If you get the chance, please stop by a local Starbucks and thank them for supporting LUM and our community.

LUM Homeless Services – Get Engaged