Orphan Mug Drive a Success with 148 donated mugs

Led by Lisa Sporleder, the Butrovich Orphaned Coffee Mug Drive resulted in 148 candy-filled mugs being donated to theFairbanks Community Food Bank during the 2019 holiday season. 

The mug drive started in 2007 because Butrovich kitchenettes (and some people’s kitchens) were overflowing with unwanted mugs. In 13 years, 1,717 mugs have found new homes through the Butrovich Orphaned Coffee Mug Drive. “The Food Bank looks forward to this unique donation every year,” said Sporleder. “It takes a lot of candies to fill all those mugs! The festive mugs are added to the Christmas food boxes for distribution to their new homes...with a bit of something for everyone in the family.” 

Every year, SW employees check their cupboards for any mugs that need to be re-homed, and bring them to Sporleder, the chief mug elf. In December, statewide staff can help out by donating mugs or a bag of wrapped Christmas chocolates. The mug elves fill those orphaned mugs with a cocoa, a candy cane, and chocolates. Then they get wrapped, tied with a bow, and taken to the Fairbanks Community Food Bank.  

“We appreciate the generosity of statewide staff who donated mugs and candy to help make the holidays a bit brighter for those in need,” said Sporleder.