Face the Fight and Starbucks Coffee Co. team up for third year

Editor’s note: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering.

This year, Face the Fight and Starbucks are once again teaming up to support Buddy Check Week. Starbucks is providing 20,000 $10 gift cards to help encourage connection and conversation.

Sometimes, checking in is as simple as sending a text, making a call or sitting down over a cup of coffee. Sometimes, hearing from someone who thought to check in can mean more than we realize.

That simple act of connection is at the heart of VA’s Buddy Check Week. From Sept. 21-25, 2026, Veterans and those who support them are encouraged to reach out, reconnect and remind the people in their lives that they are not alone.

Take the training. Make the pledge. Make the connection.

Buddy Check Week encourages participants to take the training and make the pledge to check in with 10 Veterans. But reaching out doesn’t require perfect words or a formal conversation.

It can start with simple questions or thoughts:

• “How have you been?”
• “I was thinking about you.”
• “Want to grab a coffee?”

The important thing is making the connection.

Checking in can strengthen the relationships Veterans already rely on and create an opportunity to listen when someone may need additional support.

Starbucks and Face the Fight support Buddy Check Week

For the third year, Starbucks and Face the Fight are joining together to amplify Buddy Check Week and encourage people to turn learning into action.

The first 20,000 people who pledge to reach out to 10 Veterans will receive a $10 Starbucks gift card after Buddy Check Week.

The gift card offers one more reason to connect over a cup of coffee, but the conversation is what matters. A simple check-in can help strengthen relationships, open the door to a deeper conversation and remind someone that they have people in their corner.

The partnership complements Face the Fight’s broader work to bring organizations and communities together to help prevent Veteran suicide. Learn more about Face the Fight and join the movement.

Connection matters beyond one week

Buddy Check Week puts a national spotlight on reaching out, but checking in with the Veterans in our lives should not stop on September 25.

A buddy check can happen any day of the year. When someone comes to mind, reach out. Send the text. Make the call. Ask the question. Listen to the answer.

If you want to feel more prepared for those conversations, training can help you recognize signs of distress and learn about resources that may be available when someone needs additional support.

How to participate in Buddy Check Week

This September:

• Take the training to feel more prepared to recognize signs of distress and connect someone with resources.
• Make the pledge to reach out to 10 Veterans.
• Reach out during Buddy Check Week, and keep checking in throughout the year.

One conversation may feel like a small act. To the person on the other end of the call, text or table, it can mean much more.