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Morning Buzz- 5 things to know for June 16

Posted at 11:20 AM, Jun 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-16 11:20:02-04

1, Is a Starbucks bank a possibility? The company's loyalty rewards program and popular smartphone app which can be preloaded and used to pay for lattes and mochas has 12 million members and recently doubled the amount of money it holds.

$1.2 billion have been loaded onto the cards and apps which puts Starbucks ahead of what many banks have in deposits, including Charles Schwab and First Commonwealth Financial.

Experts say the fast rise in growth for the coffee company's program is due to the successful mobile app.

Still, it's a long ways from reaching larger institutions like Bank of America, the leader in deposits with $427 billion.

Starbucks has announced it will launch a prepaid visa card later this year.

2. Hopcat is expanding yet again.

According to their Facebook page the craft beer bar and restaurant will open a new location in Kansas City, Missouri.

Last September, Hopcat announced they had reached a $25 million deal with a Texas lender and would be opening 30 new bars across the midwest over the next five years.

Locally, Hopcat announced in March they were opening a second West Michigan location in downtown Kalamazoo. It will be the fifth location in Michigan and 11th location overall.

3. It's another big success and new record for this year's Bissell Blocktail Party

Hundreds of people and their pets came out to Mangiamo in Grand Rapids Tuesday night.

The Bissell Pet Foundation announced this year's party fundraising total was a whopping $555,000!

That money will go to local animal welfare organizations through grants to try and help reduce the number of homeless pets.

This year's grand total beats last year's by more than $50,000.

4. Looking to do some volunteer work this summer? Do you like horses?

The Kent Special Riding Program is looking for people to help with their therapeutic riding lessons.

Volunteers will work as horse leaders and walk beside the horse and the rider during lessons.

You must be at least 14-years-old and able to work for two hours once per week during the six-week summer session.

For more details on the training, click here.

5. See some of the area’s most talented chalk artists at the West Michigan Chalk Art Festival.

It’s June 17 and 18 at Tanger Outlet Mall.

Kids, adults, and businesses can take part and win cash prizes or just come out and draw for fun.

Registration starts Friday at 11 a.m.

There is a free kids chalk event for kids 11 years and younger on Saturday.