Gift card promotion sold out

A “$20 for $20” gift card promotion benefiting locally owned, small businesses in Three Rivers sold out in less than eight minutes Friday.

Organized by the Three Rivers Area Community Foundation, the promotion started at noon Friday. In all, 45 businesses participated, according to Melissa Bliss, executive director of the foundation.

She explained that the program was set up to allow people to purchase $20 gift cards through the foundation’s website and Facebook page, and receive matching $20 gift cards.

The total of 618 cards sold far surpassed organizers’ goal of 250. Bliss said all purchases will be honored.

Bliss expressed her gratitude to the public for its support and said she is optimistic the promotion can be offered again.