Biblio Blends Partnership Blends Coffee for a Cause
It’s wonderful when a local collaboration benefits multiple organizations and the community, and that’s the story of Biblio Blends. Woodburn Friends of the Library and the popular downtown coffee shop Café La Onda have partnered to create a unique line of whole bean coffee blends sourced from small farms in Mexico and sold to benefit the library’s programs, which provide fun and educational activities for all ages.
Local nonprofit Woodburn Friends of the Library holds its own events for the community and contributes financially to the library primarily through their onsite bookstore. Member at large Bethany Weathersby heard about a program called Biblio Blends from a friend across the country, and her first thought was to contact Café La Onda. “They’re right across the street from the library and were very excited to get involved — they love this community,” Bethany says. Owned by Luis Llamas and Carisa Rangel Gottuso, the cafe serves artisanal coffee sourced from small-scale farms in Mexico.
The collaboration took off once they’d found a coffee source, and the Friends officers were on board. Café La Onda had previously bought pre-made blends from their suppliers but had always wanted to make their own, so they created three delicious sample blends and invited the Friends to a tasting party. The group narrowed it down to two, which they couldn’t choose between, so they decided to sell both blends and name them for the bookish theme: Hardcover — the bolder flavor — and Paperback. Two additional blends, Audiobook and E-Book, have since joined the lineup.
The project came together at lightning speed, primarily thanks to Café La Onda. “From the time I first contacted them, it was a matter of weeks before we had our own coffee,” says Bethany. The cafe made labels and packaged the blends, which are now for sale at the shop, on their website, and at the bookstore in the library. Regardless of the purchase location, a percentage of sales is donated to fund library programs, and Café La Onda will grind the beans for free.
Woodburn Friends of the Public Library is thrilled to be part of such a successful partnership. “This collaboration is truly a win-win: we’re supporting a locally owned business and the library,” Bethany says. “Public libraries provide so much more than books. Whether you’re there for the entertainment, for the free programs or looking for community resources, it’s an amazing place.”
The Woodburn Public Library, 280 Garfield St,.can be reached via phone 503-982-5262 or visit its Facebook page. Café La Onda is located at 347 N. Front St., Woodburn. To purchase Biblio Blends online, visit the Café La Onda website at cafelaonda.com.
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