A team of four recent college graduates in Washington — one of whom is also a Columbia River High School graduate — have launched a charity initiative called Pledge 1200, which seeks to support small businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The federal government is in the process of rolling out a $1,200 stimulus payment to millions of Americans; the Pledge 1200 initiative asks Americans to pledge to spend their stimulus checks at local businesses, if they are able to do so.
The initiative’s website, pledge1200.org, offers a form where visitors can add their name to the pledge list. It also includes a list of ideas for ways to support local businesses, such as buying gift cards and branded merchandise.
The initiative has gathered 388 signatures so far, according to the creators, and the website lists pledges from 37 states, totaling about $870,000 of pledged spending money.
