St. Ives donates coffee to the military, issues challenge

GAINESVILLE - A Gainesville company plans to donate some of its product to anyone sending a "care package" to anyone in the military overseas.

During September, St. Ives Coffee Roasters will donate one ten-ounce bag of coffee to anyone who is sending a package to a serviceman or woman overseas.

Lewis Coker, the owner, spent two and a half tours as a Marine in the Korean War.

"You realize being away from home, any little thing goes a long long way when you realize people support you, and I'm 100 percent in support of them," Coker said.

St. Ives is also challenging other businesses to follow suit by donating some of their product to the effort.

The bags of coffee can be picked up at the St. Ives warehouse at 966 Dorsey Street.