Kaladi Brothers Coffee’s Dale Tran’s Day of Giving to benefit Covenant House Alaska in 2025

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The last night of 2024 and the first day of 2025 will raise money for youth in the community by way of donations to Covenant House Alaska via the upcoming Kaladi Brothers Coffee Dale Tran’s Day of Giving on Jan. 1.

A collaboration between Kaladi Brothers Coffee and Covenant House, as well as Rustic Goat, will celebrate the new year by bringing in donations for youth experiencing homelessness or trafficking. On New Year’s Eve, Rustic Goat is hosting a five-course meal, including wine pairings; and on New Year’s Day, 100% of Kaladi Brothers Coffee cafe drink sales – at stores in Anchorage, Wasilla and Soldotna – will be given to Covenant House Alaska.

The gifts to Covenant House are part of an annual tradition started by Dale Tran of Kaladi Brothers Coffee, Dale Tran’s New Year’s Day of Giving.

“He wanted the company to have a place in social impact, and so, they came up with the term ‘Catalyst for community’ early on,” said Joe Hemphill, Chief of Development and External Affairs for Covenant House Alaska. “They started to engage with non-profits whenever they could. Bring a coffee cart, for example, to a non-profit event. And they would serve free coffee drinks. That was a very small but meaningful way that they could help non-profits.”

Starting Dec. 28, Kaladi Brothers will also donate 50% of online coffee bean sales until Jan. 1.

Hemphill said Kaladi Brothers partners with Covenant House because of its work with youth specifically.

“If you think about the demographics of many of our barista friends, they are adolescents,” he explained. “Some are still in high school, many are post-high school.”

The partnership has resulted in substantial donations in the past. According to Hemphill, last year’s event raised about $100,000.

“We could break it down into the number of meals that serves or pairs of socks that provides, but more significantly, $100,000 pays for a manager of a program for a year,” Hemphill said. “So, if you think about what we pay them and their salary and all their benefits, $100,000 pays for our whole human, and that is something that I think that the community can really, really be proud of.”

Hemphill said the event is an easy way to start the new year positively.

“People also are always thinking about vulnerable populations, whether it’s puppy dogs or or adolescent kids,” he said. “And they want to know how they can help.”

He said a purchase most might already plan on making will go toward youth in the community, which is, “one of the easiest ways to help people feel like they have made an impact that I’ve ever seen.”

Hemphill challenged the Anchorage community to get out and help on NYE and NYD.

“We are Alaskans, and we get out and help every chance we get,” he said. “We dig big cars out of ditches, we go and help people paint their houses.

“We are gritty,” he continued. “So this is this is a challenge for you to get up out of your house on New Year’s Day for one hour or less and drive to your closest coffee shop.”

Tickets for dinner at Rustic Goat are $125 a person, and can be reserved over the phone or in person.

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