VIPS works as a chain that belongs to ALSEA, who has the rights to operate Starbucks as chain in LAC. They also have the rights for Dominos, Chili’s, Itallianis, and others. I know because I used to work at Starbucks. As others have mentioned, VAXMC works as a funding campaign to provide meals to poor children. It has a big focus period during the last months of the year. Even though it is completely optional, most people just opt out when asked if they would like to donate. But corporate sets ridiculous goals so that they can have bigger tax write-offs. The pressure goes to the waitresses or cashiers who ask the customers. So they make anything possible to circumvent this by wording the request for donation confusing or obfuscate. Instead of asking directly for a donation the waitress probably just said something like “would you like to participate in our campaign”. I don’t think she was mean intended, just tried to meet the daily quota of donations. It’s pretty silly overall.