Gratis Gives, the charitable arm of Gratis Payment Processing, is making it possible for local business owners to donate to local nonprofits using a portion of their credit card processing fees.

"Gratis Gives is a bridge between the local business owners and the local nonprofits," Owner Kirk Allaire said.   "We identify and reduce merchant service fees for our business owners locally, and turn them into vital funding for local nonprofits.  "We've taken an industry with no heart and added heart to it."

Allaire says it doesn't cost businesses anything extra.

"We first have to identify savings and, then turn those savings into a combination of savings for the merchant and funding for the local nonprofits," he said.

Right now Gratis Gives helps ten Nevada nonprofits.  CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada has been with the program since the start.  That organization has been providing free medical supplies and equipment for those in need for nearly three decades.

"There's a huge need and we serve folks that are barely able to make ends meet," CARE Chest Executive Director Anne Schiller said.   They can barely afford copays for prescriptions, they have difficulties buying diabetic supplies, so we provide those things, along with things like medical nutrition.  We just need a doctor's prescription it's all free."

The Gratis Gives donations have  been a boost in recent months.

"I was a little surprised; it's new, it's innovative and  you wonder how it's going to work, but we've been involved since the beginning and its been an awesome program  to work with," Schiller said.   "It's been great to meet new people in the community, to get the word out about our services, and to create partnerships with different businesses, it's just a win-win."

The nonprofit has expanded services to rural Nevada locations this year.

"We're serving 18 communities and excited to be out in the rural communities," Schilling said.  "We've set up three closets where people can come get our services in Ely, Schurz and Gerlach and it's exciting to reach these people in desperate need as well."

The Pecks from Reno have been using CARE Chest resources for years.

"Because we are living on Social insecurity we get Ensure and all kinds of different items so my life is more convenient," said Judy Peck.   "I have this wheelchair I get to use, a seat for the toilet, a way to stand in the kitchen while I'm doing dishes;  they have helped my life immensely.  If people weren't donating to this facility and others like this, there's so many people where their lives would be miserable without it it; helps with quality of life and so many are not aware of that.   Back in the 50's and 60's, it was all about helping your neighbor; now everybody is out for help themselves and those that are helping in situations like this are truly blessed."

Allaire says there's room to grow for both businesses and nonprofits.

"The sky is the limit; we're looking to duplicate our efforts elsewhere in the country and to grow here locally." he said.  "It's a good feeling, the fact that what we're doing is making a difference and it's just great to go to work; I love what i do."

More information: https://gratisgives.com/