Coffee for a cause

Have you ever been thirsty? Really thirsty? Thirsty enough to walk five miles for water? If we're honest about it, most of us cannot say yes to that. But this is the reality more than 1 billion people face around the world.

To help deliver clean water to those in need, local resident Bill Prost has led a coffee fundraising effort through the sale of Green Mountain fair-trade, organic coffee. The Five for Water Foundation, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that benefits from the coffee sales, has helped fund 11 water projects in 10 countries where coffee is grown.

While Prost started the foundation, the fundraising effort goes far beyond Cape Girardeau. Rotary Clubs around the country sell the coffee. The total effect: $98,000 raised by the foundation plus additional matching funds from the Rotary Foundation, individual Rotary Clubs and other organizations. Since 2008, there has been $350,000 worth of water projects either completed or currently in progress thanks to the effort.

We congratulate Prost, the Rotarians and those who support this worthy cause. If you'd like to purchase coffee for the cause, contact a Cape Girardeau Rotary Club member. For more information, email info@fiveforwater.org.