SEATTLE (January 18, 2010) – In response to the Haitian relief effort, Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) today committed support and funding to the growing international relief effort.  Starting today, participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada will enable customers to make monetary donations at store registers, with no purchase necessary, to benefit the American and Canadian Red Cross organizations for a limited time.  The Starbucks Foundation will also donate $1 million (U.S.) from The Starbucks Foundation to the American Red Cross efforts to help Haiti.

“We are devastated by the recent loss of life caused by the earthquake in Haiti,” said Howard Schultz, chairman and CEO, Starbucks Coffee Company. “We feel a tremendous sense of  urgency to respond to the humanitarian crisis,” added Schultz. 

"The generous support of Starbucks, and so many of their customers, will reach the lives of survivors in Haiti, providing help and hope," said Gail McGovern, President and CEO, American Red Cross.  "The Red Cross is grateful for this global outpouring of compassion, and we encourage people to continue their support for Haiti because the need is so great."

For more information on the Red Cross disaster response in Haiti, visit www.RedCross.org.

In addition, Haitian-American musician Wyclef Jean has collaborated with Starbucks to make an appeal to the Global Community about the crucial needs of the Haitian community. To learn more about Jean’s ongoing efforts in Haiti, go to www.yele.org.

To see Jean’s message, go to www.starbucks.com.