If there are two things we love here in Lakeland, it's our coffee shops + giving back. So when we heard of a coffee house nearby that's combining those two loves into one, we knew we needed to check it out. Meet ECHO Coffee House: a coffee shop that's brewing up not just lattes and macchiatos, but good for the community.

When City Editor Amelia stopped by ECHO Coffee House, she tried the "Forever Family" latte that combines peanut butter, chocolate, and caramel. | Photo by LALtoday

Founded by Brent Wernsing, ECHO Coffee was established to support ECHO Ministries, a Lakeland-based nonprofit that works to support children in foster care. Wernsing and his wife Christine have nine children — seven of whom are adopted — and are also foster parents. After relocating to Polk County seven years ago, ECHO became a valued resource for their family. "I didn't have anything like this in Pasco County," Wernsing told us. "So I connected with ECHO's Director and told her, 'I want to be in your corner.'"

Initially, Wernsing supported the organization through web + graphic design. But when the church he pastors moved into a permanent location off of Cypress Gardens Boulevard in Winter Haven, he saw a new opportunity next door. "I walked in, and I was like, 'this could be a coffee shop,'" he said, and just like that, ECHO Coffee was born.

Foster families can grab a coffee before heading up to the ECHO Shop, a free store that provides everything from clothing to school supplies to fostered children. | Photo by LALtoday

Wernsing and his staff intentionally created the menu to start conversation. You'll find coffees like the "Reunification," which blends hazelnut, honey, and ground cinnamon, as well as energy drinks, tea, and smoothies.

Outside of paying his employees and ordering product, Wernsing told us that every dollar ECHO Coffee earns is donated to ECHO Ministries. Community members can also drop off donations there, and foster families can shop for free clothing and other items.

"Not everyone's called to be a foster parent," Wernsing said, "but everyone can help in some way."

ECHO Coffee House is open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.