Starbucks Launches Jobs Plan

After paying a premium price for a cup of coffee, do you get the urge to help the economy? Starbucks has an answer.

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.

Frankly, I suggest that Starbucks jobs program is similar to collecting charitable contributions in a jar adjacent to the cash register. Heh.