A challenge for Starbucks to stop profiteering in the name of humanitarianism through the sale of Ethos bottled water

We, the undersigned, strongly urge the Starbucks Corporation and its subsidiary organization, the Ethos Water Fund, to discontinue its practice of profiteering under the guise of humanitarian aid through the sale of Ethos brand bottled water.

Realizing that only five cents ($0.05 USD) from every bottle of water sold at a retail price of $1.80 USD actually benefits the cause of providing clean drinking water in Africa, we assert that this so-called fundraiser is really nothing more than a marketing ploy designed to convince unsuspecting Americans and Canadians into thinking they are playing a significant role in a humanitarian effort, when in reality, over 97\% of all money collected through the sale of Ethos water is gross revenue for the Starbucks Corporation.

We accusingly point out to Starbucks and to the public the shameful fact that, according to the model on which Ethos is founded, if Ethos reaches its published goal of $10 million USD for charity by the year 2010, Starbucks will have collected an additional gross profit of $350 million USD for itself. We also point out that according to its own data, Starbucks has profited by over $100 million from the sale of Ethos water thus far.

We ask the Starbucks Corporation to make restitution for its misleading money-making tactics by donating no less than half of the net profits from all Ethos bottled water already sold. We recommend that these funds be given to a legitimate and reputable charity engaged in the effort of providing clean drinking water to Africa.

Furthermore, we ask Starbucks to improve its model for charity fundraising through the vehicle of Ethos water by changing the amount donated from the sale of each bottle to be no less than one half of the net profit per bottle.

We assert that to avoid these two actions is to exploit the plight of suffering Africans for the Starbucks Corporation's personal gain.

To that end, we, the undersigned, hereby challenge the Starbucks Corporation to stop profiteering in the name of humanitarianism through the sale of Ethos bottled water, and to begin a genuine humanitarian effort to relieve the African drinking water crisis by taking the two actions proposed herein.