They’ve been a constant and familiar presence since soon after the horrific killing spree, a comforting fixture at the footsteps of the main entrance of the Inn at Virginia Tech.

A Salvation Army truck and a rotating cast of volunteers have been working around the clock to provide sustenance to everyone who’s come to this hotel near campus, from members of the media to police officers and grieving family members.

And their goodwill has gone well beyond food and drink.

“The food is something that’s needed, and the coffee and hot chocolate are important, but a lot of times with that cup of coffee you serve is a conversation that you have,” said Capt. Richard White, of the Roanoke Salvation Army. They’ve been a constant and familiar presence since soon after the horrific killing spree, a comforting fixture at the footsteps of the main entrance of the Inn at Virginia Tech.

A Salvation Army truck and a rotating cast of volunteers have been working around the clock to provide sustenance to everyone who’s come to this hotel near campus, from members of the media to police officers and grieving family members.

And their goodwill has gone well beyond food and drink.

“The food is something that’s needed, and the coffee and hot chocolate are important, but a lot of times with that cup of coffee you serve is a conversation that you have,” said Capt. Richard White, of the Roanoke Salvation Army.

Read: CAMPUS SHOOTING — Amid tragedy, comfort and hot coffee

Settled in one of the very comfortable overstuffed chairs at the local Starbucks, I noticed something I had not previously.

The place was as crowded as usual, probably 30-plus people either in line to order, waiting for their orders or, like me, sitting, eating, drinking, watching, reading, talking. All very typical but this time I noticed that the demographics of the customers ranged from pre-adolescent girls and boys, complete with mouths full of braces, drinking their double vanilla crème frappuccinos, to a quartet of coffee drinking seniors well into their late ‘60’s, probably mouths full of dentures, as well as all ages in between. A veritable microcosm of the entire population right there in my local Starbucks. Pretty impressive to see an age and gender range as broad as that gathered in one store, particularly one whose primary product is coffee.

Read: Building A Community Through Coffee

I have just added 21 Starbucks Gift Cards to Coffee Gift Cards and Certificates

• TWO Hawaii Starbucks Hula Gift Cards w/Matching Sleeves
• Starbucks Hawaii Kona City Mug 20oz NEW +Free Gift Card
• Starbucks Hawaii Kona City Mug 20oz NEW +Free Gift Card
• Starbucks City Mug Hawaii Lei + FREE Hawaii Gift Card
• Starbucks City Mug Hawaii Canoe + Free Hawaii Gift Card
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• RARE SEVEN GIFT CARD STARBUCKS COFEE STARBUCKSCARD
• DANCING HULA GIRLS Gift Card from Starbucks Hawaii
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• Starbucks Pike Place Gift Card w/ 1971 old, nude logo!
• Starbucks card – Pikes Place – Gift card – Collector
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• WALMART TARGET HOME DEPOT STARBUCKS GIFT CARD !!!!
• Starbucks RAY CHARLES Gift Card LIMITED EDITION mint!
• Starbucks SET PEACE DOVES & PENGUINS GIFT CARDS MINT
• HUGE Lot of 35 STARBUCKS Coffee Gift Cards
• Starbucks $50 Gift Card

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