I’m not sure the answer to your question but just wanted to extend love and warm wishes to your coworker. I wish the cup fund could have helped her. But how can your SM tell you what to do with your tips? Your SM isn’t telling you not to go buy gas with your tip money. If you’re willingly giving away your tips, and nobody’s pressured, isn’t that your decision?

This is terrible, I know a lady years ago who got it because her hot water heater "wasn't too great". Her spouse made more than most people in my town and it wasn't any kind of dangerous situation. Someone in literal danger being denied is horrendous.

this is ridiculous. everyone i know has had a very easy time getting the cup fund. maybe theres a high demand now and theyre being ridiculous about it or something. that being said, i agree with other comments that you guys should definitely go through with donating ur tips, its ur money and u can do as u please with it. ridiculous manager

Your manager can’t tell you what to do with your own tip money. That’s ridiculous.

I’ve received cup fund money for natural disaster relief.

To my knowledge this partners reasoning for the cup fund is valid.

But I’m wondering if there was something on the application they filled out that automatically denies them. I know there’s other questions that aren’t just related to why you need it. I’d assume that’s where they got denied?

A former barista of mine just received the cup fund because of this exact reason. They had her send the deposit needed for the new place and then she received it. I’m not sure what may have been different here, but I’d encourage them to ask questions and see why exactly it was denied. There’s got to be an answer, and maybe it’s not a lost cause. Really hoping for the best.

My wife received money from the CUP fund while we were dating. Her house was destroyed by Hurricane Michael.

Your coworker being denied is terrible. That’s a worthwhile cause to me.

Far more have been denied without a penny to their name than I've seen receive it since it was first introduced. I refuse to donate to it and encourage others not to. I set aside what I used to donate in an envelope ($5 a paycheck) and put it in my coworkers bag with a short note if they talk about applying for the fund. A time or two the store got together and hosted them for meals or bought pet food, that kind of thing.

I recommend doing similar personally. Idk what is up with the cup fund but it is borderline unethical in who gets denied and who gets a payout.

I thought situations like this were what the cup fund was for, but now I’ll think twice before doing it. I’ve worked with several people who it’s helped so I always that it was great, but this post really hit a nerve because my half sister is someone who lived with an abuser and couldn’t get out for a while due to finances.

I just wanted to comment that you’re a kind soul OP. You and your coworkers can gather tips and give it in an envelope and, worst case scenario, give it to your coworker outside of work. Your SM can’t stop you. No matter the amount of the donation you and your store seem like really amazing people and I’m sure your coworker knows it. Sending all the love I can, hopefully they can get out.

I'm so sorry she was denied assistance in her time of need. I don't know where you live, but please Google your state name + emergency domestic abuse shelter. They can help her come up with a safety plan on how/when to leave. Leaving an abusive relationship is the most dangerous time for an abuse victim, as the abuser doesn't want to lose control. You can also visit thehotline.org for more resources. Thank you for caring for your friend and offering whatever support you can..I'm sure it means so much!

They have the cup fund so they can brag about it to the public. WE CARE It’s propaganda

A partners father was murdered and they needed a couple hundred bucks to fly to the funeral. Denied.

I applied to put a down payment on my apartment and they gave me the $1000. They had me list ALL of the things I’m paying for and how much I get each paycheck to see if I have enough left to survive. Did they talk the their manager? The people from the cup fund call the manager to get the story straight. I hope she gets it mate

I heard someone got an iPhone from it EDIT: like I get it people need phones nowadays to keep up but an iPhone? Really?

Do you know if your friend has any Starbucks stock left? The only reason I didn't encourage a friend to apply, besides her need wasn't a dire need, it just would have helped, is that she still owned Starbucks stock. They say you need to sell all of it before getting anything from the cup fund.

My thinking is they only give out money if you're using them as a last resort.

I received the cup fund about 5 years ago when we were about to be evicted from our home and become homeless. Money got tight because my dad stopped working and later abandoned us when we got the eviction notice… he ran off to another state to be with another woman (again). My mom tried everything to make more money at her job, family donated what they could, and I applied to the cup fund and wrote a long letter explaining everything in detail and received the full amount. Thank god for that cup fund and the people who donate to it or else we’d be on the street.

My parents are divorced and our family is doing much better :)

I’m not sure why your friend did not receive it… I don’t know if there are rules against applying multiple times but I hope they get it. My SS at the time told me they knew someone who got money from the cup fund to go towards their wedding sooo… that’s kind of disappointing to hear when other people apply for more serious reasons and get denied.

I'm sorry about her situation. The manager can't dictate what you do with your tips after you receive them. They might be worried about other co workers feeling pressured to donate their tips even if they can't? I don't know the reasoning behind it.

I did get $1000 from the cup fund last year to help pay for funeral costs when my mum passed and I've had co workers get something from it after natural disasters to help with costs from that.

Does she have PayPal
Like one they can have no access or even knows about
I like to donate to help her leave
Or if I can sent the funds to you and you can give it to her

How long has she been a partner? Does she have any write ups or anything like that?

Ive used the cup fund once to temporarily stay at a hotel for the week to leave my household for a bit until things gotten a little tolerable.

But there’s a specific section that your partner should’ve been valid for. Very generous of you & your partners sacrificing your tips. Sometimes small things can always make huge impacts.

Lastly, sending all the positive vibes & hope she get out of that environment soon & fast.🤙🏽

I’ve had to apply several times, and got denied every time despite the situations being completely within the guidelines/requirements.

In the 14 years I’ve been with the company, I have not met or heard of a single partner who has successfully been granted the cup fund.

I’m willing to bet the cup fund account is in the billions.

I received funds from the cup fund. It basically sat in limbo though until I called and really pushed as to why I needed the funds. It ended up getting approved 5 minutes after I called in. Worth a shot having her try that instead.

I got it during Covid to avoid eviction. Have her call the cup fund for an answer. Maybe she could fix something and reapply.

I did. About 10 years ago - they must have changed the parameters of eligibility. Mine was to get myself and daughter out of an abusive situation. I'm sorry your coworker was denied - I would honestly try and appeal this.

As far as your SM saying no to tip donations....they are YOURS and none of their business.

I was an SM and we had a partner lose their apartment to a fire, every partner in my store donated a weeks worth of tips.