When the Chapel Hill-Carrboro PTA Thrift Shop was looking for ideas for community fundraising, Scott Conary of Carrboro Coffee Roasters did what he knows how to do best: make great coffee. The company behind Caffe Driade and Open Eye Cafe is partnering with the PTA Thrift Shop to raise money for the PTA Community Building Project, which will fund a building intended to be a “community-wide destination.”  The new PTA location will offer office space, larger retail and potential restaurant and entertainment are all added benefits, as well as some school-program administration and community outreach and meeting centers.

While coffee and local schools might seem like strange bedfellows, a little background of Carrboro Coffee Roasters explains why it makes perfect sense: they’re a local company with an international conscious.

“We’re pleased to be able to help the PTA Thrift Shop, who does so many good things for our community,” says Scott Conary, owner of CCR. “One of our missions is to connect our community with the farm communities we source our coffee from. In this case, you are literally helping both.” 

Carrboro Coffee Roasters’ entire mantra revolves around community — whether it’s here or thousands of miles away — so it’s no surprise to see them working for Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools. They do all sorts of community work and events, including events teaching children about the science and appreciation of coffee (pictured above). 

A special blend was developed by Carrboro Coffee Roasters just for the fundraiser: a mixture of Colombia Santa Barbara Estate beans with an Organic, Fair-Trade Certified Peru Penachi. Bags of the blend can be purchased at Caffé Driade in Chapel Hill, Open Eye Café in Carrboro, PTA Thrift Store locations & participating schools will be selling them through classrooms projects in the district.
 
For more information on the PTA’s news and building projects, visit their webpage.