That spare change you donate at checkout is adding up to millions for charities

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Government: Oregon Public Broadcasting

That spare change you donate at checkout is adding up to millions for charities

We've all been there: A store cashier asks if you'd like to donate money to the local food bank. Or the PIN pad at the checkout counter prompts you to round up your payment for charity — spare a little change for a worthy cause.Those "round-up" campaigns have become ubiquitous in recent years — at grocery chains, gas stations, retail stores and online merchants — and they rake in millions of dollars annually for everything from scholarships to c…