Muskego Food Pantry Cashes in on Coupons

If you've got kids, or know kids, chances are you've been asked to purchase coupon cards to in turn get discounts at local businesses. Local businessman Craig Lesser connected with Rob Bartz, CEO of The Community Choice (also known as the Cash Coupon) to take the concept hi tech, and the Muskego Food Pantry will see the rewards.

Bartz had researched the card concept, realizing that much of the profits never made it to the nonprofits, and thought that people might find accessing the deals via their smart phones might be far easier than keeping a card. 

"I realized I could do this better, and started marketing this in 2008," he said.

Lesser joined the Community Choice team, and took a personal interest in the Food Pantry, seeing the opportunity to have local businesses support the organization.  He garnered a sales permit from the City of Muskego to go door-to-door to offer the coupon, which features discounts from hundreds of businesses. For $10, subscribers can use the service up to 20 times to save far more than they spent. Working from May of 2012 to December when his permit expired, Lesser knocked on countless doors, and admitted a few weren't receptive, and brought in $15,000, all of which will go to the Food Pantry.

The participating businesses do buy into the promotion, and Lesser and Bartz hope that with the Food Pantry as its beneficiary, more Muskego businesses will be encouraged to join in.

"Often we hear from people that they like the idea of saving money, but wish there were more local businesses that they use on a regular basis on board," said Bartz. "It's been tough, but we're hoping to increase those numbers

For some it may need more explanation, so Lesser is holding a information meeting on Monday, May 20 at the Citizen's Bank of Mukwonago beginning at 6:30 p.m. A check for $15,000 will also be presented to the Muskego Food Pantry at that time. RSVPs are strongly recommended by emailing Lesser.

If you'd like to sign up online for the discounts, visit thecashcoupon.com for more information.