I generally consider myself to have a pleasant disposition.  However, that pleasant disposition is dependent upon drinking 20 ounces of black coffee each and every morning.  If I don’t get my daily dose of coffee, I can be less than pleasant. My daily dose of coffee is a part of my day that I look forward to.  There was never a thought in my mind of how my enjoyment of coffee could help to provide a better future for others.
      This past weekend St. Pius X began selling Café El Zapote.  Café El Zapote refers to a group of coffee farmers in Honduras who are working together with St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Ames, IA. Together they have formed a 501c3 nonprofit organization that sells their coffee. Previously, large national coffee companies would buy coffee beans from the farmers and would pay them as little as possible knowing that the farmers lacked access to broader markets.  The agreement between the Honduran coffee farmers and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish has changed that.  The farmers now sell their beans to the parish and are paid a fair profit.  This direct trade partnership strives to provide the highest quality coffee and a fair price to farmers at the coffee’s origin. 
     We are proud to be joining St. Thomas Aquinas in helping to broaden the market for the coffee farmers of El Zapote.  We are looking for your help in two simple ways.
1. If you are a coffee drinker, buy a bag of coffee and enjoy delicious coffee that helps to provide a dignified income for our brothers and sisters in Honduras.  The cost is $13.00 for a one-pound bag of coffee.
2.  We will need the help of parishioners to sell the coffee after Mass.  This is a simple process that you can be easily trained for and requires a small-time commitment (approximately 10-15 minutes after Mass). 
    We need your help to make this endeavor a success!  Our parish engages in many efforts to help make life better for our neighbors in the area.  Now we have a chance to help reach out to our “extended family” in Honduras.  Our next coffee sale date will be Sunday, October 1st at the KC pancake breakfast.  If you are interested in helping or would like more information about the coffee, please contact me at [email protected] or 319-393-4445.   
                                                                                            Sean Lokmer
                                                                     Pastoral Associate