Coffee drinkers who want a bit more from their morning brew than a simple caffeine fix have a charitable new option when it comes to choosing what beans to buy. Poulsbo-based Grounds for Change has teamed up with international relief and development agency Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in offering socially conscious consumers fresh, micro-roasted coffee that, with each sale, raises money for relief and development efforts throughout the world.

Grounds for Change – along with thirteen other small coffee roasters who adhere to specific fair trade buying principals – are offering consumers and businesses the opportunity to purchase ground or whole bean coffee that can truly make a difference in the lives of others.

This new program, which kicked off on April 14, designates a contribution from each sale to go towards relief efforts managed by the 62-year old humanitarian agency. CRS currently has relief and development efforts taking place in more than ninety-nine countries and territories including the earthquake and tsunami-stricken regions of Southeast Asia. Since the initial devastation of December 26, CRS has pledged $150 million in emergency relief and rebuilding efforts for that one region alone. The proceeds from coffees sold through Grounds for Change will go towards those projects as well as efforts taking place elsewhere in the world.