Local nonprofit cafe raises funds for global charities year-round

In early May 2008, Cyclone Nargis struck the remote delta region of Myanmar.  

At least 138,000 fatalities were reported. Two years later, Myanmar still lacks adequate funding for local schools, clean water and food supplies.

The Pourhouse Cafe, a local nonprofit coffee shop, is currently raising funds for the Asian Children’s Mission, a movement that provides educational and nutritional funding for Myanmar children.

It opened in February 2008 with the goal of being a place where people could come for rest, comfort and warmth.

Pourhouse manager Pam Voorhies said the cafe’s name was inspired by the historical poorhouses of the Depression Era, which provided food and shelter for poor families
and individuals.

“We opened because we wanted to be a presence in Bloomington,” she said. “The objective wasn’t to make money.”

The cafe was built and furnished with supplies using only donations for funds.

With a staff of volunteer and paid employees, the cafe cuts down on payroll expenses, which means more money is donated to their quarterly cause.

“Every three to four months, we raise money for a particular cause,” Voorhies said. “We try to choose global, relevant, high-demand things.”

The cafe has raised about $20,000 for the ACM so far and will continue to donate tip money and sales profits to the cause through the end of October, Voorhies said.

“I think it’s a popular thing to do right now,” Tim Felton, Pourhouse shift manager, said.
“People seem likely to tip more or buy something they are on the bubble about if they know the money is for a good cause.”

The Pourhouse Cafe offers Fair Trade items as well, which increases their opportunity to raise money for their causes.

Voorhies said while Fair Trade is more of a label that many companies tout, Pourhouse goes a step above the usual Fair Trade initiative.

“The companies we get our coffees from own their estates directly while implementing health, nutrition and school programs with money from sales to us,” she said.

The cafe has live music each month, which Pourhouse barista Alena Degrado said gives customers a chance to sing and dance in an environment that is usually utilized for quiet study or conversation.

“It’s a community more than a coffee shop,” Degrado said. “You can always expect to see someone you know. I feel like that’s this place for me.”