Payday Loan Company Donates Money to Schools

Historical archive, first published 2006 — payday-lending laws and rates have changed since. Preserved for the record.

PLS Payday Loan Store locations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Illinois, Mississippi, and Wisconsin donated a total of $18,000 to community schools.

The donations were part of a Back to School promotion, in which customers nominated local schools to receive $200 donations. The winning schools were selected with drawings held at each PLS Payday Loan Store on August 26.

The cash advance company donated $5,000 to elementary and high schools in Illinois and $4,800 to Wisconsin schools. Arizona schools received $3,400, while donations to Mississippi schools totaled $3,000.

"A good education is the key to our children's future," said Charlie Murphy, executive vice-president of Chicago-based PLS Payday Loan Store. "PLS is committed to being a good neighbor and helping our community schools stay strong."

Some might say this provider of fast payday loans simply acted in the name of public relations - but that doesn't change the fact that these schools received money.