Starbucks pushes job growth program (donations of $5 or more from customers to stimulate job growth)

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By SARAH SKIDMORE

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Starbucks hopes customers will be willing to pay at least $5 more when they stop in for their morning cup of Joe.

Starting Nov. 1, Starbucks will begin collecting donations of $5 or more from customers to stimulate U.S. job growth through its "Jobs for USA" program. The Seattle-based coffee chain is collaborating with the Opportunity Finance Network, a nonprofit that works with nearly 200 community development financial institutions to provide loans to small businesses and community groups. Starbucks says 100 percent of the donations will go toward loans for firms and organizations that can add jobs or stem job losses.

Starbucks, which pioneered how Americans drink coffee, declined to estimate how much money it plans to raise, but millions of people visit its nearly 7,000 company-owned U.S. stores each day. Customers who give will get a red, white and blue wristband that says "Indivisible."

"This is about using Starbuck's scale for good," said Howard Schultz, Starbucks Corp.'s CEO.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20111003/D9Q4PGNO1.html

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This undated photo provided by Starbucks shows a wristband that Starbucks is giving to customers who donate $5 or more to the Opportunity Finance Network, an organization that works with nearly 200 community development financial institutions nationwide that in turn, lend that money to entrepreneurs, small business and community groups that might not otherwise get funding. Starbucks says 100 percent of the donations will go to these loans that will help add jobs or stem job loss. (AP Photo/Starbucks)

[Angry Dragon]

1. Is Starbucks going to match it??

[Lionessa]

2. Ridiculous. Starbucks isn't doing anything except transfering $$s, it doesn't sound like they

at all like Starbucks in doing anything philanthropic. It would be just as good if not better, for them to simply hand out cards with the online addy of the organization (OFN) or offering discounts to anyone coming in with proof of a $5 donation.

[tammywammy]

4. "the Starbucks Foundation is donating the first $5 million."

http://www.createjobsforusa.org/

[Lionessa]

8. Aha, thank you for the correction.

[onehandle]

3. I'm sitting in a Starbucks right now.

I'll look for those in November.

[sam11111]

5. into CEO's pocket forever?

[sam11111]

6. 95%of small businesses fail in 5 yrs. So loans to them a waste

if u want to create real lasting jobs. (Unless the loan group can pick winners...banks not trying to now..why not?)

Is starbucks actually donating five million? I want proof..show me the tax return or other proof from the gov, not some accounting firm like those recently in scandals

Better to donate the money to election fund to elect a democrat
..Who can REALLY create millions of REAL jobs.

Eg routine gov jobs like food inspectors cops teachers.....
Eg set up co ops
Eg WPA...which ..see my sig belo....

[sam11111]

7. union? is starbucks unionized?

[bread_and_roses]

9. Haven't Starbucks been busting IWW unionizing efforts for years?

That's been my understanding, anyway. I don't buy their coffee nor support them in any way due to that - not that it makes any difference, I don't believe the answer to our problems lies in "consumer choice." But when I have a choice, I make it the best way I can nonetheless - futile as it may be.

I think I'd tell Starbucks to look to the beam in their own eye, at least when it comes to workers rights and good jobs.

Unless I'm wrong - in which case I'll be glad to know it.

[ellisonz]

10. Or you could give $5 to the Democrat of your choice.

[PETRUS]

11. This kind of thing drives me crazy

It's a way for big business to say "look over here!" and distract us from the structural changes that could be made in order to provide everyone with a decent opportunity.

Relying on the goodness of billionaires and their corporations is no substitute for better:

Labor law and better enforcement of labor law
Fed & Treasury policy that benefits working Americans and not just the financiers
Trade agreements that benefit workers everywhere and not just owners and some segments of workers

And while we're at it, corporate governance is a joke. A bunch of people sitting on each others boards, awarding one another giant compensation packages with golden parachutes.