Now and Then Coffee is putting together a raffle to raise funds for those affected by Hurricane Ian, a category four hurricane that caused damage across western Cuba, southwest Florida, and South Carolina in late September and early October.
Why it matters: Event organizers Demi Chacón and Davy Ball, also the founders and co-owners of Now and Then, call Florida home, and the hurricane left many in southwest Florida with nothing. “We’ve been in touch with some folks down there, and it’s devastating,” says Chacón. “The least we could do is try to raise some money to help folks get by and get back on their feet.”
- The Tampa-based business will host an in-person raffle at Spaddy’s Coffee’s Seminole Heights location on October 23rd at 6 pm and a virtual raffle, open to all US residents, that will run until October 23rd.
- Prizes range in value between $55-$2000, including a Silvia Pro X espresso machine from Rancilio (valued at roughly $2000), an ATOM grinder from Victoria Arduino (~$1400), scales from Acaia, gear from Fellow Products, an artisan kettle and pour over kit from Brewista, and more prizes to be announced over the coming days.
- The in-person raffle will include prizes from local businesses like tattoo artist Mason Chimato, Jug & Bottle, GetAlong Donuts, and Rooster & the Till. The event will have beer and food from local vendors.
The Full Extraction: Organizers hope to raise $10,000, and oat milk manufacturer Oatly has pledged to match donations up to $7,000. Along with bidding for prizes, folks can donate directly to the cause.
Chacón states the funds raised will be used to benefit affected Floridians widely, and all money will be distributed to a few different organizations: Current Initiatives, a non-profit that supports community-based mobilization, GoFundBean’s Disaster Relief Fund, and directly to purchasing emergency supplies.
What’s More: Winners of the virtual raffle will be announced on Now and Then’s Instagram account on October 24th, where you can also keep track of any updates. Remember, you can participate in the virtual raffle from now until the 23rd (if you live in the US) or give direct support to those devastated by Hurricane Ian.
