P R E S S

Act Of Kindness Just In Time for The Holidays

NOVEMBER 22, 2023 - NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

SAN DIEGO - In a heartwarming gesture of support and gratitude, Holy Joe’s Café, made sure to continue to uphold its mission since 2006, to serve a little bit of home to those who serve our country, by donating a staggering 22 pallets of coffee to Naval Base Point Loma through the command Chaplain James “Jiho” Kim.

Chaplain Kim will ensure its distribution among the military members at Naval Base Point Loma, Naval Base San Diego, Naval Base Coronado, and Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

Holy Joe’s Café & Tom Jastermsky recognized by the Connecticut State Militia & the Connecticut National Guard Chaplain Corps for their unwavering support.

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 - BRADLEY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, GRANBY, CONNECTICUT

On behalf of the Connecticut State Militia and the Connecticut National Guard Chaplain Corps, we extend our deepest gratitude to Tom Jastermsky and Holy Joe’s Café for their unwavering support to our Connecticut National Guard Airmen and Soldiers, and service members around the globe!

Your generous contributions of coffee have not only energized our days but also warmed our hearts.

Source: CT National Guard Chaplain Corps - Facebook

Fort Stewart Gets a Coffee Break from Holy Joe’s Café

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 - FORT STEWART, GEORGIA

FORT STEWART, GA - Holy Joe’s Café donated 55 pallets of K Cups to the 3rd Infantry Division Religious Support Office (RSO) on November 7, 2023.

Holy Joe’s has been donating coffee for service members worldwide since 2006.

No Barista No Problem

OCTOBER 5, 2023 - FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS

FORT CAVAZOS, TX - Coffee is very prevalent in popular culture. Most people use it as a pick-me-up or as a treat. For service members deployed throughout the world, the options and opportunity for coffee are limited. Chaplain (Capt.) David Martin of the Mobilization Support Brigade is doing his part to increase the options for Soldiers mobilizing out of Fort Cavazos. Chaplain Martin reached out to Holy Joe’s Café to request a donation of coffee.

104th Fighter Wing Wellness Center supports members, thrives with support of community

OCTOBER 3, 2023 - BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

The 104th Fighter Wing Wellness Center is an essential component of the wing with its primary mission being to provide support and resources to military members, ensuring they maintain physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Members can receive support from the chaplains, the Director of Psychological Health, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Airman and Family Readiness, and many others all in one central location.

Brewing Spiritual Readiness - Fort Novosel Chaplaincy Serves Up Free Coffee to Help Connect with Post Community

JULY 25, 2023 - FORT NOVOSEL, ALABAMA

FORT NOVOSEL, AL - The Fort Novosel chaplaincy received a donation of 25 double-faced pallets of coffee K-Cups June 23 and its staff is putting it to use to help increase the spiritual readiness of the post community.

Donated by Holy Joe’s Café, a nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to providing free coffee to chaplain ministries across armed forces, the bounty inside the Spiritual Life Center is helping Fort Novosel chaplains connect with Soldiers, according to Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Peter Hofman, garrison chaplain.

21st TSC Chaplains Keep Coffee and Conversation Flowing with Holy Joe's

OCTOBER 14, 2022 - KAISERSLAUTERN, RP, GERMANY

21st Theater Sustainment Command Chaplain, Col. Stanton Trotter knows how to get Soldiers’ attention. He tries to always have candy at his desk, donuts at special events, and hot coffee wherever chaplains are near.

“Many times a soldier will come for a cup a coffee to a coffee ministry sponsored by a chaplain and pour a fresh cup of coffee, linger over the joy of the libation, and then turn to the chaplain and say, ‘Chaplain, as long as I am here, I would like talk with you about something.  Do you have a minute?’” said Trotter.

Holy Joe’s Café Provides Pallets of Coffee to Yuma Proving Ground

OCTOBER 5, 2022 - YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA

Holy Joe’s Café, a nonprofit organization, donated pallets of boxes containing large coffee containers to Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) Soldiers by way of the YPG Post Chapel. The shipment arrived via semi and contained nearly 250,000 cups of coffee.

Holy Joe’s Cafe Donates 12 Pallets of Coffee Pods to Pennsylvania National Guard Troops

AUGUST 19, 2022 - FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA  

Holy Joe’s Café, a nonprofit organization that donates coffee to service members, recently donated 12 pallets of coffee pods to the Pennsylvania National Guard. The pods were delivered to a central warehouse at Fort Indiantown Gap on Aug. 3

Holy Joe’s Café Donates pallets of Coffee to Fort Campbell Ministry Teams

AUGUST 4, 2022 - FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY

Members of the 101st Airborne Division Ministry Teams pose for a photo in front of unloaded pallets of coffee, Fort Campbell, Ky., Aug. 4, 2022. Seventeen pallets of coffee were donated by Holy Joe’s Café to the Fort Campbell's ministry teams to be distributed to Soldiers.

Holy Joe’s Café Donates over 300,000 Coffee Pods to JBLM Troops

JUNE 22, 2022 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON

“To sit, sip and exchange ideas or engage in conversation are at the heart of what we as military chaplains do and coffee is often a vehicle for engagement,” Lawrence said in an emailed statement. “The work of Holy Joe’s continues to make this possible for our chaplains and religious affairs specialists.”

Holy Joe’s Café Donates Coffee to Coast Guard First District 1

JUNE 13, 2022 - BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

The First Coast Guard District received coffee a donation Wednesday from Holy Joe’s Café which included over 100,000 single-serve cups, whole-bean and pre-ground coffee delivered to Coast Guard Base Boston.

“Thank you to Mr. Thomas Jastermsky of Holy Joe’s Cafe,” said Chief Michael Delaney, First District Reserve Force Readiness. “The generous donation to the crew of the First Coast Guard District brings smiles to faces all around.”

Holy Joe’s Café Donates Coffee to the U.S. Military through Chaplain Offices on Installations to Support Our Service Members

March 18, 2022 - FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Holy Joe's Café donates coffee to the U.S. Military through Chaplain offices on installations to support our service members. They delivered 58,000 coffee pods to USA-IRL (US ARMY - INSTITUTE for RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP) and Fort Jackson on March 16. The coffee was shared with Fort Jackson Unit Ministry Teams and other agencies across the installation.

Holy Joe’s Café Asks For Support In Response To Russia-Ukraine Conflict

February 25, 2022 - by Drew Page, Southern New England Conference, UCC, Lancaster, MA

Holy Joe's Café is seeing an urgent increase in the need for coffee and support for U.S. military chaplains in response to the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

Raising Spiritual Readiness

November 22, 2021 - FORT RUCKER, AL

The Fort Rucker Chaplaincy recently received a donation of 37 pallets of coffee K-Cups and its staff its putting it to use to help increase spiritual readiness in the post community.

Donated by Holy Joe’s Café, a national recognized nonprofit dedicated to providing free coffee to Chaplain ministries across the Armed Forces, the bounty inside the Spiritual Life Center is helping Fort Rucker chaplains connect with soldiers, according to Chaplain (Lt. Col.) David Schnarr, garrison chaplain.

Holy Mocha! Take Time to Relax, Drink Coffee With Fort Bragg’s Unit Ministry Teams

November 22, 2021 – FORT BRAGG, NC

Fort Bragg’s Religious Support Office received coffee donations from Holy Joe’s Café, Sept. 9. The assortment of coffee included 28 double-stacked pallets of K-cups, ground coffee and whole-bean coffee, delivered at the Soldier Support Center.

Holy Joe's Cafe: 15 Years and Growing

May 20, 2021 – Southern New England Conference, Lancaster, MA

While supply chain disruptions have impacted many during the pandemic, coffee is still flowing for military chaplains thanks to Holy Joe's Café. Holy Joe's is celebrating 15 years of bringing "a little bit of home to those who serve our country.
Holy Joe's Café began as a mission at the First Church of Wallingford (CT) in 2006, the brainchild of Holy Joe's founder and director, Tom Jastermsky, a member of the church. Jastermsky had heard that U.S. military personnel in Iraq were short on coffee. One week later, the first shipment of coffee arrived at the base in Baghdad courtesy of Holy Joe's Cafe.

Fort Campbell receives 400,000+ Coffee K-Cups as a donation from Holy Joe's Café

July 27, 2021 – FORT CAMPBELL, KY

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) partners with Holy Joe’s Café in order to provide the Soldiers of Fort Campbell with a way to help ease the nerves of those who may be on edge while speaking with Army Ministry Personnel.

Holy Joe’s donated over 440,000 K-cups of coffee, hot cocoa, and tea to be distributed to all Soldier ministries on post. Service members from all over Fort Campbell to include all brigades of 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment showed up on site to help.

Resilience With a “Cup of Joe”

July 09, 2021 – HARTFORD, CT

Military chaplains lend a listening ear to service members who want to talk about the issues that they are faced with. Thanks to a donation from Holy Joe’s Café, a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, members of the Connecticut Military Department can have these conversations over a hot cup of coffee.

Retired Army Col. Kevin Cavanaugh, a former Army Chaplain currently serving as a Chaplain in the Connecticut State Militia, accepted a donation of more than 1,400 pounds (approximately 60,000 cups) of coffee from Holy Joe’s Café. The coffee will be available to members of the Connecticut State Militia as well as members of the Connecticut Army and Air National Guard.

Lt. Col. Eric Wismar, who serves as the 103rd Airlift Wing Chaplain and full-time support Chaplain for the Connecticut National Guard, is dedicated to helping Airmen and Soldiers build and sustain resiliency. Being able to adapt to adversity, trauma and stress could start with a conversation and a cup of coffee, said Wismar.

SPECIAL DELIVERY- Fort Gordon medical, military personnel receive coffee with open arms

February 25, 2021 – FORT GORDON, GA

Fort Gordon received a shipment of 32 pallets stacked high with boxes of donated coffee, hot cocoa, and tea; the majority being K-cups with some bags mixed in. The donation arrived courtesy of Holy Joe’s Café, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to “serve a little bit of home to those who serve our country.”

Grounded in Giving: Chaplains Transport Donated Coffee at Camp Arifjan

07/27/2020 – CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

U.S. Army Chaplains transported 850 boxes of donated coffee onto the grounds of Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The coffee came from nationally recognized nonprofit Holy Joe's Cafe, a 501C-3 dedicated to providing free coffee to chaplain ministries across the armed forces.

Conversations over Coffee

07/24/2020 - CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

For many, community is brewed over connections and meaningful conversations. U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Randal Day, operations chaplain with Area Support Group - Kuwait and Thomas Jastermsky, founder of Holy Joe's Cafe, share how coffee has helped chaplains pour into the lives of Soldiers and service members across the world.

Chapel Delivers Coffee and Prayers

10/02/2019 – JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J

“When we think of an airman, we often reflect on their mission and how well they are able to accomplish it. The mission is the always the priority, but sometimes the human factors of performing at such a high level are forgotten. There are days when Airmen are tired, worried, and stressed about work or their relationships at home. Thus, the 87th Air Base Wing Chaplain Corps seeks to mitigate these stressors through unit visitation, individual counseling, morale events and more.”

Donated Coffee Enhances Art Outreach

July 31st, 2019 – JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS

The smell of coffee is not the only thing filling the room. Laughter and conversations also take place as members of the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing wait in the Resiliency Cafe for their cup of coffee. 

The Airmen Resiliency Team uses these moments as another opportunity to engage with Airmen, but maintaining a steady supply can become a challenge. Thanks to a donation of 12 pallets of coffee containing 5,609 lbs. of coffee pods, whole bean and ground coffee by Holy Joe’s Cafe, the ART can continue to leverage this resource.   

189th Combined Arms Training Brigade Unit Ministry Team Receives Coffee Donation

7/22/19 – JOINT BASE LEWIS MCCHORD – WASHINGTON

The 189th Combined Arms Training Brigade unit ministry team received a donation consisting of more than 500,000 single-serve cups from Holy Joe’s Café, a non-profit organization, on May 16, 2019. The overall mission of the donation is to help enhance the presence of the unit ministry team’s throughout organizations on the installation.

Caffeine: One Seemingly Small Way Chaplains Reach Soldiers

7/3/2019 – FORT HOOD, TEXAS

Coffee - and lots of it add an extra shot of boosted morale and that’s what service members are receiving through “Operation: Holy Joe”.

Thanks to chaplains working with non-profit organizations like Holy Joe’s Café and its founder, Thomas Jastermsky, thousands upon thousands of K-cups have been graciously delivered and gratefully received at military bases and deployed operations around the world …

Holy Joe’s! Coffee With a Spoon of Resiliency

5/29/2019 – CAMP ARIFJAN – KUWAIT

At Camp Arifjan, nested in the 450th Transportation Battalion and 300th Sustainment Brigade's headquarters area, is Holy Joe's - a coffee spot with restorative qualities. The point of this resiliency tent is to give people a break from their offices. A lot of people here in this area, they have very small areas and they work closely to each other. It’s a breather for people to come in, relax, there’s nothing that they have to do here.”

300th Special Troops Battalion - Holy Joe’s Café Grand Opening

3/7/2019 – CAMP ARIFJAN – KUWAIT

The Special Troops Battalion, 300th Sustainment Brigade celebrates the grand opening of Holy Joe's Cafe at Camp Arfijan, Kuwait, Mar. 7, 2019. Holy Joe's is an informal place sponsored by the unit chaplain for Soldiers to have a cup of coffee and relax.

Donated Coffee Keeps Old Guard on Marks as Polar Vortex Descends

2/5/2019 – JOINT BASE MYER – HENDERSON HALL, VIRGINIA

This past week brought freezing temperatures and bitter winds to the men and women of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) as they stood their marks both here and in Arlington National Cemetery. The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) is tasked to provide memorial affairs to our nation’s fallen, ceremonial support to the national capital region, and when necessary defend the capital. The Old Guard does this all with the exacting standards approaching perfection that is the calling card of the regiment.

Holy Joe’s Café Delivers Cups of Joy to Dover Air Force Base

1/30/2019 – DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, DELAWARE

The Dover Air Force Base Chaplains Corps received more than 70,000 single-serve coffee pods from Holy Joe’s Café on January 10, 2019. “When I announced that the Chapel received all of this coffee, commanders and First Sergeants were extremely grateful and eager to receive some for their unit,” said Carollo. “The Chaplain Corps supports our service members in numerous ways.

Coffee with a Purpose

11/23/2019 – FORT GORDON, GEORGIA

There is something about a hot cup of coffee that does more than satisfy one’s thirst or longing for caffeine. Just ask any military chaplain. “One of our core competencies is to care for Soldiers,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Tracy Hudgins, 706th Military Intelligence Group, “and one of the ways we do that is through ministry of presence – just being with Soldiers.” A recent delivery of coffee K-cups is helping installation chaplains continue that mission.

Base Chapel Receives 400K Single-Serve Cups of Coffee

1/17/2018 – MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MONTANA

“This donation helps improve the morale of our troops and the fact that they feel that somebody is thinking about them and is going the extra mile. It’s a little cup of love,” said Hughley. “We’re thinking of you. We thank you for what you do.”

Coffee Break on Maxwell

8/17/2017 – MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, ALABAMA

“One of our core competencies is to care for Soldiers,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Tracy Hudgins, 706th Military Intelligence Group, “and one of the ways we do that is through ministry of presence – just being with Soldiers.” A recent delivery of coffee K-cups is helping installation chaplains continue that mission.

Where The Troops Go, We Go

July 3rd, 2017 - National Coffee Blog

For the troops out in the field, even just a cup of coffee can bring the taste of home. Having a moment of down time with fellow active duty military personnel can help alleviate stress and build camaraderie.

Since 2006, Holy Joe’s Café has been sending free coffee and supplies to deployed U.S. military chaplains on military bases around the world. Here, anyone on the base — from NATO medical teams to Special Operating Forces — can stop in to relax and share in a taste of home. All are welcome, no matter their faith or background.

US Troops Worldwide Receiving Java Jolt from Wallingford

5/24/17 - FOX 61

"WALLINGFORD --  Sometimes a small cup of coffee can make a big difference, especially for members of the military serving abroad. And, a Wallingford church has been filling that need to the brim for some 11 years now..."

National Coffee Blog: Mercy on the War Front

February 23rd, 2016

Made of wood and corrugated steel - whatever materials are available - makeshift coffee bars have sprung up in hardscrabble military bases around the world. They serve as wake-up calls in more ways than one. Thank Holy Joe's Café, an all-volunteer ecumenical ministry that provides United States military chaplains in 35 countries with fresh, free coffee.

Coffee to the Chaplains Assigned To The 103rd Airlift Wing

04/04/2016 – BRADLEY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, CT

Chaplains assigned to the 103rd Airlift Wing at Bradley Air National Guard Base, CT are employing a new tool to connect and establish rapport with unit members.

The Divine Mercy K-Cups and Keurigs: Boosting Airmen Morale Across Ohio

June 1st, 2015 - Springfield, Ohio

Airmen and Soldiers gathered around Keurig coffee makers at Holy Joe’s Café in Kabul, Afghanistan. The small coffee shop was a hub for communication and a caffeine boost.

“We set up a café in Kabul and we would have people come in every day,” said Lt. Col. Jon Trainer, the 251st Cyber Engineering Installation Group chaplain. “The coffee was a great way to get people to talk and connect.”

Since 2006, the director of HJC, Tom Jastermsky, has sent free K-cups and Keurigs to deployed chaplains to provide them with a way to bond with service members.

Holy Joe’s Café Shop: Keeping Malmstrom’s defenders running

11/24/2014 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MONTANA

Nestled deep within Malmstrom’s Air Force Base’s command headquarters building, commonly referred to as Bldg. 500, is a very new parcel of office real state that is quickly becoming the hot spot for Malmstrom’s security offices personnel. The “hot spot’ comes in the form of a brand new and completely free coffee shop, which was implemented to support Airmen deploying out to the missile field.

Holy Joe’s Café sent Coffee to Spiritual Resiliency Center in Bagram

1/10/2012 – BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN

A volunteer organization known as Holy Joe's Cafe has recently donated pallets of coffee and coffeemakers to deployed service members in Afghanistan.

‘Vanguard’ Unit Ministry Team Receives Coffee Donation From Nonprofit

March 2nd, 2012. FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

Maj. David K. Trogdon, chaplain for 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, will soon put this long-standing theory to work across Fort Stewart, Ga., thanks to a 3,220-pound donation of the caffeinated beverage—as well as coffee makers, tea and hot chocolate—from Holy Joe’s Café, a nonprofit organization that sends coffee to troops both stateside and abroad.

The beverages, which were delivered March 1, are slated to be brewed in the 4th IBCT headquarters building in a common area beginning this month, Trogdon said.

“We’ll have a chaplain or an assistant there at all times,” Trogdon said. “One of the most important things we do as chaplains and assistants is what we call ministry of presence—that’s just being around soldiers. [This] way soldiers can come by and get free coffee and talk to a chaplain or an assistant.”

Holy Joe’s Café Serves Troops 500K single-serve Cups of Coffee (40 Pallets)

May 2011 – KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

A volunteer organization known as Holy Joe's Cafe has recently donated pallets of coffee and coffeemakers to deployed service members in Afghanistan.

NAVCENT FWD HQ Kuwait Thanks Holy Jose's Cafe

December 5th, 2011 - CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

Naval Forces Central Command (NAVECENT) Forward Headquarters sends a thank you message to Holy Joe's Cafe for their support. Holy Joe's Cafe is a non-profit that sends coffee since 2006 to U.S. Troops around the world via a network of cafes run by military chaplains. All are welcome to join us in this nationwide volunteer effort!

Thank You to Holy Joe’s Café from Common Ground Coffee House Aboard USS Ashland (LSD 48)

3/16/2011 – CHAPLAIN JELTEMA

A volunteer organization known as Holy Joe's Cafe has recently donated pallets of coffee and coffeemakers to deployed service members in Afghanistan.

Grand Opening of the Lighthouse - Chaplains Coffee House/Holy Joe’s Cafe

Oct 10th, 2008. Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

This edition features a story on the grand opening of a 24-hour coffeehouse, The Lighthouse. Hosted by Airman 1st Class Gina Mulder.