There is something about the first cup of coffee on a chilly fall morning. It warms your hands, wakes you up, and gets you ready for whatever the day brings. Now that same cup can do something good for a neighbor, too.

Good Shepherd's Clothes Closet has partnered with Kubes Coffee, a Nevada coffee roaster, on two blends made to give back. Every bag sold supports GSCC and the free clothing, shoes, and essentials we share with neighbors across Reno, Sparks, and Northern Nevada.

Meet the two blends

Community Cares is our dark roast. It is bold, rich, and full-bodied, made for coffee lovers who enjoy a deeper, more robust cup. It shares its name with our Community Cares Podcast, and with a simple idea we believe in: strong communities are built when people come together to care for one another.

Hope & Dignity is our light roast. It is bright, smooth, and uplifting, with a clean, inviting cup, gentle flavor, and an easy finish. It is a good fit for morning routines, slow weekends, and conversations with friends. Its name comes straight from the heart of our work. For 30 years, GSCC has been "providing hope and dignity to those in need with free clothes."

Both blends come in 12 oz bags for $18 or 2 lb bags for $36, whole bean or ground. Kubes roasts every order fresh, so allow a few days for shipping. Orders over $50 ship free, and you can set up a monthly delivery so you never run out.

Why a bag of coffee matters

About 800 people shop at our store at 540 Greenbrae Drive in Sparks every month. All anyone needs to shop is an ID. Adults and children choose jackets, sweaters, shoes, socks, and more, at no cost and with the respect everyone deserves.

As the weather turns cold, warm clothing is what our neighbors need most. When you choose Community Cares or Hope & Dignity, you help keep our racks stocked and our doors open this winter. It is one of the easiest ways to support GSCC, because you were going to make coffee anyway.

Hear the story behind the partnership

On episode 157 of the Community Cares Podcast, Michael Kubel of Kubes Coffee joins us to talk about this partnership and the two blends we created together. It is a great listen with your next cup. You can find it on Spotify, and new episodes of Community Cares stream live on Facebook every Tuesday at 6 PM.

A gift that gives back

The holidays will be here before we know it. A bag of coffee makes an easy, thoughtful gift for teachers, coworkers, neighbors, and anyone hosting a holiday gathering. A 2 lb bag is a nice way to stock the office break room. Every bag you give is also a gift to a neighbor who needs a warm coat this season.

Three ways to help this week

1. Order a bag of Community Cares or Hope & Dignity at gsccreno.org/coffee.

2. Pick up a few extra bags for holiday gifts.

3. Share this post with the coffee lovers in your life.

And if you have not reserved your seat yet, join us for our Nevada Day Dinner on Friday, October 30, at the Atlantis in Reno. Details and tickets are at getclothes.org/nv.

Thank you for 30 years of standing with your neighbors, one cup at a time.