Vann's, a Missoula-based electronics and appliances company with a branch in Evergreen, has launched a program to give a portion of any purchase price back to local businesses.

Vann's will donate 5 percent of any purchase to the customer's local business or charity of choice throughout September.

Sean Wells, manager of the Evergreen store, said the program is going well.

"People are really receptive to what we're doing and the benefit this is having on the local economy," Wells said. "We're hand-delivering the checks weekly."

Among the businesses and charities that have received donations are Flaming Arrow Archery Center, Flathead Food Bank, Flathead Industries, Western Building Center and a number of contractors.

"The idea behind this is to stimulate a local business," Wells said. "We're keeping it local. It's neighbors helping neighbors, businesses helping businesses."

In Missoula, product adviser Adam Manthie said Vann's wants to encourage people to keep their money in Montana by supporting local companies instead of national chains.

"The customer walks away with a good feeling," Manthie said. "There's a lot of buzz in the community about [the promotion]. In the long run, we hope the uptick in foot traffic will outweigh what we spend on it."

Wells said that Vann's updates its Twitter feed (@Vanns' each time a donation is made.

"We're anticipating giving over $100,000 to Montana businesses," Wells said. "We'd like to see other businesses follow suit."

Reporter K.J. Hascall may be reached at 758-4439 or by e-mail at kjhascall@dailyinterlake.com