Last Summer, the Compassion Coupon program run by Travel Portland's Downtown Marketing Initiative brought local businesses and shoppers together to raise $35,000 for New Avenues for Youth, a Portland nonprofit empowering homeless youth to exit street life.

This Summer, writes Anne Saker in the Oregonian, the program will benefit Bud Clark Commons, a cornerstone of our 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.

Businesses offer discounts through the program - 2 for 1 falafel/hummus lunches at The Energy Bar, for example - and every redeemed coupon brings the program closer to its goal of donating $10,000 to Bud Clark Commons at the end of the Summer. The Portland Business Alliance's Charitable Institute generously donated the funding, which will support an innovative mentoring program at BCC.

The program runs through August 31, so there's plenty of time to participate!

Compassion Coupons!

"In downtown Portland, 'compassion coupons' aim to help shoppers and the homeless"