SPOKANE, Wash. — Cedar Coffee in Spokane announced it would be donating 100% of its Saturday sales to the people of Ukraine on Friday, the next day hundreds lined up to show their support.
The Ukrainian-owned coffee shop was packed on Saturday afternoon with long lines out the door for most of the day. Several customers said they waited over an hour in line before ordering a cup of coffee.
Customer Whitney Wakefield said she wanted to go to Cedar Coffee to support the Ukrainian community locally and abroad.
"Being able to show that we support them and hopefully with whatever we can give here, that monetary support that can be sent back there just knowing that we'll be able to kind of personally support them here and send love back to Ukraine is kind of two different levels to support them here and support those back in Ukraine," Wakefield said.
In a post on Instagram, Cedar Coffee said they wanted to gather as much support to help the people fleeing the Ukraine who need help getting food, clothing and a place to live. They also are sending money back to help soldiers fighting for Ukrainian independence.
Customer Steven Coggin said he wasn't sure how he could support Ukraine from Spokane, but Cedar Coffee's fundraiser presented a local solution.
"I was struggling to find different ways that I could help relieve suffering in eastern Europe cuz that seems like such a hard thing to do from Spokane," Coggin said. "But when I saw there was a local option, that all the proceeds from Cedar were going to support Ukrainians, it just seemed like a no brainer for me to show up and help out."
Cedar Coffee located on 701 N Monroe St. is open until 4pm Saturday.