The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many shortages. The latest is the change in your pocket.
Stores are asking for exact change, or to pay with a credit card to minimize contact between customers and employees. Phoenix Children’s Hospital is benefiting from this nationwide shortage.
Arizona Walmarts and Sam’s Clubs are using the coin shortage as an opportunity to help Phoenix Children’s Hospital with a new system for register donations. The stores have extended and updated their donate-at-the-register campaign. Tim Harrison, vice president of Corporate Partnerships and Special Events for the Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation, says this is a silver lining for the shortage.
“Now they’re asking people if they can make a donation, but also making it very easy on somebody just to round up the change," said Harrison. "Whether their bill is a few cents or almost a full dollar. So, I think that the volume of transactions is a really positive thing for us in that space.”
Walmart and Sam's Club have been partners with Phoenix Children's Hospital for over 30 years, according to Harrison. The money from these campaigns goes into their Hope Fund which pays for education programs and other patient resources.
