Starbucks to Seek Customer Contributions for U.S. Jobs Campaign

The national coffeehouse chain Starbucks is mounting an effort to spur U.S. job growth paid for by donations from its customers, according to Reuters and CNNMoney.

The Create Jobs for USA fund announced Monday by Howard Schultz, the company’s chief executive, will be seeded with $5-million from Starbucks foundation.

It seeks to raise money for the Opportunity Finance Network, a group of community lenders that offer low-interest loans and other support to small businesses and low-income communities.

Starting November 1 patrons at some 6,800 Starbucks outlets across the country will be asked to donate $5 or more to the fund. The company will also solicit contributions online at CreateJobsforUSA.org.

“Businesses and business leaders need to do more; we can’t wait for Washington,” said Mr. Schultz, who in recent months has criticized political gridlock and urged fellow corporate leaders to withhold campaign contributions until the president and Congress strike a “fair, bipartisan” deal on budget and debt issues.