Blue Owl Coffee helps keep the lights on for Lansing families

THURSDAY, Nov. 25 — Starting tomorrow morning, Blue Owl Coffee Co. will begin donating 10% of its bean and merchandise proceeds through December to a charitable program designed to help families in need to pay their utility bills during tough economic times. 

Through the new charitable initiative, the donations will be directed entirely to the Lansing Board of Water & Light’s Pennies for Power program — which raises nearly $40,000 annually to help support local residents who have been struggling to keep up to date on their monthly utility bills.

“This year has been difficult for many people throughout Lansing,” said Blue Owl owner Nick Berry in a release. “It’s my hope that other business owners will see these struggles and want to get involved in giving back and helping our community, especially during the holidays. Working together as a united front is the best way to rebuild and come back stronger than ever.”

The Pennies for Power program enables BWL customers to round up their utility bills or or donate a one-time or recurring payment to help families get by. Even before the pandemic, more than 4,000 customers participated in the program, raising nearly $40,000 annually in support.

Berry hopes other businesses will also join the program as a donation match partner. Those businesses would need to agree to donate $20 for every 10 bags of coffee sold through Dec. 31. Additionally, Berry is also encouraging people to sign up for the Pennies for Power program.

“Over the years, we’ve seen immense support from Lansing residents — not just for our business but for other community members as well,” Berry added. “BWL’s Pennies for Power program is a unique way to support neighbors in need and businesses at the same time.”

Merchandise and coffee beans can be purchased from any of the Blue Owl locations either in downtown Lansing, Old Town, REO Town or East Lansing, or online at blueowlcoffee.net. Visit lbwl.com/community/pennies-power for more information about the Pennies for Power program. 

Total contributions are also included on January billing statements for tax reporting purposes.