Local Coffee Shop Giving Back To Veterans

KANNAPOLIS, NC —  In the small town of Kannapolis people know a lot about a community, but inside Local Patriot Roasting Company the community bonds over more than just coffee. 

“I feel like every morning we can come in the shop and there’s a group of veterans or even first responders that come in every morning consistently,” Co-owner of Local Patriots Roasting Company Kyle Lingafelt said. 

Veterans Kyle Lingafelt and Stefan Perine started the coffee shop as a way to give back to the community. 

 “We have served,  you know, we did our part there and we’ve come back,  but then now we’re back in our community. How do we continue to serve, and pass that service?” Lingafelt said. 

Lingafelt and Perine were both deployed to Afghanistan –  Lingafelt served in the Marine Corps and Perine in the Army. 

They know firsthand how hard it can be for veterans and that’s why part of their mission is giving back to veterans in need. 

“We can use our businesses, like the coffee shop, to actually help local veterans and first responders and those who really just need it,” Perine said. 

They are able to do that through employing veterans as well as raising funds for veterans who need help. 

 That mission has inspired the community to give back too. 

A chalk board tracks how many people ‘pay it forward’ by buying a coffee for a veteran or first responder each day. 

“They’re always more than thankful for what we’ve done and we would do it again,” Lingafelt said. 

Its no surprise the coffee shop is a local favorite with many regulars  including some furry friends.

That’s because when you leave Local Patriots Roasting Company you’re leaving with a lot more than a cup of coffee –  you’re leaving with a sense of community  and the knowledge that giving back always gives you more in return.