LONG BEACH, CA - It's A Grind Coffee House, a national coffee house franchisor, is calling on its colleagues in the coffee industry to join them in supporting the disaster relief efforts of AmeriCares (www.americares.org).

"It's A Grind has agreed to donate $2 for every pound of coffee sold through the end of January at all It's A Grind Coffee House locations throughout the United States," said Marty Cox, founder and president of It's A Grind.

Indonesia is the world's third largest producer of coffee in the $9 billion dollar coffee industry.

"Our goal is to rally the entire coffee industry around the relief efforts that devastated communities that have contributed so much to our industry," added Cox.

AmeriCares is a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization that has provided immediate response to emergency medical needs around the world for more than two decades.

"It's A Grind has decided to launch this fundraiser on behalf of AmeriCares with the hope of inspiring the entire coffee industry to get involved," said Cox. "Our goal is to have the coffee industry unite, and support AmeriCares in their relief efforts to the thousands of families effected by this tragedy."

It's A Grind hopes to raise more than $20,000 over the next month and dramatically increase that number through gaining the goodwill support of the entire coffee industry.

"AmeriCares is moving quickly to provide much-needed relief to the survivors of the earthquake and tsunamis," said Laurie Fogarty, marketing manager at AmeriCares. "We rely on the generosity of companies such as It's A Grind and are truly appreciative of their efforts to raise awareness and funds."

To support AmeriCares relief efforts in Southern Asia, log onto www.americares.org or call AmeriCares directly at 1-800-486-HELP
(4357).

It's A Grind was founded in Long Beach, Calif. in 1994. It's A Grind is a specialty Coffee House specializing in gourmet coffee and espresso beverages. Currently, more than 50 It's A Grind locations operate in the United States, with a projected 250 stores by 2007. For more information, visit www.itsagrind.com.

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