3200 cups of coffee make a difference

Staff and students raised $1,600 for student scholarships as part of the second UOW Cares Coffee for a Cause, held in September.

Coffee for a Cause was supported by campus businesses Sixty Seven Dining, Out to Lunch, Picasso, Panizzi and Pool Unique Cafe. For every cup of coffee sold throughout the week, 50 cents was donated to the UOW Equity Fund.

The UOW Equity Fund supports students who might not otherwise have the chance to attend University and provides support for students experiencing financial difficulties during their studies.

Staff and students who purchased five or more coffees during the week and submitted their UOW Cares coffee card were entitled to receive a free travel mug or ‘Keep Cup’ from the Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit (ESI).

According to the ESI Unit, the UOW population drinks more than 3000 cups of coffee each week, meaning disposable coffee cups are a big environmental issue.

To coincide with Coffee for a Cause, staff who signed-up to the UOW Cares workplace giving program in the month of September, as well as existing staff participating in the program, were eligible to win a free Saeco coffee machine from Harvey Norman Warrawong valued at $1 100 or one of three vouchers valued at $30 to Piato Coffee and Fine Food.

The lucky winner of the Saeco coffee machine was Ms Susan McGafﬁn from Research Services Office.

Staff and students unable to collect their Keep Cup or who missed out on receiving a Keep Cup through the Coffee for a Cause campaign can ‘adopt’ a cup online via the ESI website.

Visit uow.edu.au/about/environment/onelesscup for more information.

Last reviewed: 5 November, 2009