Auto dealer encourages community to 'pay it forward'

Carson City Toyota Scion is joining up with the Northern Nevada Food Bank and Friends In Service Helping to raise money for the less fortunate.

The dealership started a local chapter of the 93 Dollar club, which encourages people to donate $93 or 93 cents, as well as nickels, dimes and quarters, all of which will be split by the two non-profit organizations.

Donations can be sent to: Carson City Toyota Scion, 2590 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV, 89701. Attn: Dana Whaley. The dealership can also pick up your donation by calling 775-882-8211.

The 93 Dollar Club was started last year by two Bay Area women. One of the founders, Jenni Ware, was unable to pay her grocery bill so Carolee Hazard, a stranger, offered to pay for it.

Days later, Ware sent Hazard a check for the cost of the groceries and included an extra $93.

Hazard decided to give the $93 to charity after posting her story on Facebook.

Eventually, through the social networking site, more and more people took notice and started giving $93 to charities - a sort of "pay it forward" effect.

Today their 93 Dollar Club has nearly 4,000 fans and has raised more than $110,000 for the Second Harvest Food Banks of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

They can be found at www.facebook.com/93

dollarclub.