Banana Republic, Google Offers, Starbucks together on jobs program

SEATTLE — Banana Republic and Google Offers, a coupon incentive program, are joining with Starbucks and Opportunity Finance Network to support the Create Jobs for USA program.

The pair, which are the first businesses to join Starbucks in the initiative, will run special promotions and make donations in support of the program that is designed to raise money to put Americans back to work.

Google’s and Banana’s support value will be as high as $4 million. The fund already has raised more than $7.5 million and, with the two additions, about $80 in lending would be supported, enough to create or sustain more than 3,800 jobs, Starbucks said in a statement.

“We thank Google Offers and Banana Republic for their leadership and support of this job creation program that is already helping thousands of Americans get back to work during a time of continued high unemployment,” said Starbucks chairman, president and CEO Howard Schultz.

Starbucks and OFN teamed up to launch Create Jobs for USA last November to help address the jobs crisis. Contributions to the Create Jobs for USA program are pooled and awarded as loans to help create and sustain jobs in underserved communities throughout the country.