A new coffee blend does more than wake the senses and exhilarate the palate, it helps area veterans.
On Wednesday, May 6, Commander Coffee (formerly Uborra), 1128 Jones St., launched Mission United Reserve, and will donate 20% of proceeds to United Way of the CSRA’s Mission United program, which assists veterans. To buy the coffee online, go here.
Over the past few years, the United Way of the CSRA has delved more into providing direct services in addition to helping raise money for area nonprofit organizations.
“A lot of it is based on the community’s needs,” said Brittney Burnett, United Way of the CSRA president and CEO.
The organization operates the 211 information and referral line. As a result, staff and volunteers see firsthand the needs of the community, she said, and they’ve worked to create programs that fill gaps.
A main issue for area residents is lack of transportation, needing a lift to get to a medical appointment or to a job interview. After Hurricane Helene hit, they found more people needed food but didn’t have access to a food pantry. Project Lyft and Project Dash were born from those situations.
Project Lyft connects people with rides to job interviews and medical appointments while Project Dash connects a Door Dasher to a food supply.
Mission United also came as the direct result of seeing a community need.
Last year, 760 veteran and military families contacted the United Way for information or a referral. Many of them are considered ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) or hardworking families who can’t make ends meet, according to Burnett.
Mission United helps with emergency financial assistance, employment and career coaching as well as navigating healthcare and VA benefits. Mission United operates in partnership with Accelerate Augusta for some of its programs.
Other initiatives help school-aged children, such as Stuff the Bus that will be gearing up soon.
While it might not be a hardship for some, buying school supplies is taxing on a budget that is already stretched to the max, Burnett said. That’s the reason for the annual Stuff the Bus project. Last year, 34,273 school supply items, valued at $141,479.96, stuffed several school buses.
Another initiative is a book drive for children spearheaded by the United Way. New or gently used books can be dropped off at the United Way office, 1765 Broad St. until May 22.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
