Chamber, businesses handing out free coffee to rotating schools this fall

Sep. 3—Educators in Buchanan County will start the day with a boost several times this fall, as the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and various businesses treat teachers to free coffee at their schools.

Coffee trucks are set to visit every school in Buchanan County in a rotation. Only one school will be visited each time. Benton High School will be the lucky school visited by the truck at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4. This will continue at various schools through Oct. 28.

Kristi Bailey, the director of communication and marketing for the Chamber of Commerce, explained the purpose of these events.

"The business community, we really wanted to work together to show our appreciation for the teachers and educators," Bailey said. "So, basically we just ... want them to know that we appreciate all the work that they do for our children and to take a little time out of our day to say thank you."

Herzog Contracting Corp. provided Buchanan County schools with wagons full of coffee-bar supplies for staff break rooms. Supplies included Keurig coffee machines, Keurig cups, water filters, sweeteners, tea and more.

One Buchanan County school got an extra donation. Coleman Elementary School got a "break room makeover" thanks to Tolly and Associates. Don Tolly and his staff provided a rug, table, coffee table and more for the elementary school's staff.

On Wednesday morning, Hazel's Coffee will visit Benton High School. Bailey shared that Missouri Western State University is sponsoring that day, and they have exciting plans for the morning.

"Missouri Western is the sponsor of that event, so they are bringing out some of their spirit squad," Bailey said. "So it should be an extra peppy morning, not just caffeine, but we believe some of their cheerleaders and maybe Max the Griffon is gonna be out there to get everyone started at Benton in the morning. So that should be an extra fun event."