When Memphis experienced a city-wide power outage, businesses across the city were faced with unexpected challenges, including how to protect food stored in freezers. At Ramblin’ Joe’s Coffee, we had 180 sandwiches that had been stored in our freezers, and rather than risk allowing perfectly good food to eventually spoil and become waste, we looked for a way to put it to good use. That led us to giving them to our Friends at The Room in the Inn Memphis, where we were able to donate all the sandwiches to help provide meals for people experiencing homelessness in our community.
For Ramblin’ Joe’s, this donation represents two values that are at the heart of who we want to be: Giving to Those in Need and Sustainability. We believe that when you have something that can help someone else, you should find a way to share it. We also believe sustainability can begin with simple, everyday decisions like choosing to donate usable food instead of allowing it to go to waste. The sandwiches weren't simply “extra”; they were food affected by an unexpected circumstance, and we wanted to make sure they had an opportunity to serve a purpose.
We're proud that an unexpected challenge created an opportunity to give back to our Memphis community. We know 180 sandwiches won't solve the un-housed crisis or food insecurity, but we believe meaningful change is often built through small actions and businesses choosing to help where they can.
Memphis has given Ramblin’ Joe’s so much, and we try to give back whenever we're able. For us, being a good Memphis business means more than serving great coffee, it means being a good neighbor, supporting organizations doing important work, and finding ways to make a positive difference in the community we call home.
That's Joe's Way.