Clatsop Community Colleges Pi Phi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is organizing a Cash Mob that will take place Nov. 17. A Cash Mob is essentially a random act of kindness intended to help out a local small business by flooding it with customers on a given day.

The idea is to take nominations then vote on the business to be mobbed. On the morning that the event is scheduled to happen, the winning business is announced via social media (in this case, Facebook). The whole community is encouraged to participate by buying something that day from the business.

It doesnt matter how much you spend; it just matters that you show up and buy anything to show your support for a local business owner and their employees. In the case that you cant find anything that you want to buy but would still like to help, a donation jar will also be present.

Criteria for a potential business include:

Being a small business in Astoria;

Having a variety of items with a wide range of prices;

Being open the day of the Cash Mob; and

Not being a restaurant (so as not to bury a restaurant with customers they cant handle).

This is the first time Pi Phi has organized a Cash Mob, and the organization will be lenient with the criteria if it makes sense. If successful, Pi Phi hopes to organize future Cash Mobs, expanding to all of Clatsop County.

Businesses can be nominated by going to Pi Phis Facebook page PTK Pi Phi Chapter CCC and posting the nomination and a brief reason for why that business should be chosen. Anyone can nominate. Nominations can also be dropped off at the PTK?office in Columbia Hall or mailbox E-3, also in Columbia Hall.