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SALT LAKE CITY -- A local downtown business is asking for a little blood money.
Mestizo Institute of Culture and Arts is a coffeehouse art center at 600 W. North Temple that provides a place for community members to experience culture and art in a safe environment.
The center ran into tough times with the bad economy. Saturday, it kicked off a community plasma donation fundraiser to help keep its doors open.

"Obviously you're paid to give plasma -- the plasma center is right across the street -- so they can give plasma and bring that money back over here and donate it to the art center," said Matt Bradley, the co-director of MICA.
The event included other fundraisers such as bake and merchandise sales. The community blood drive runs through Dec. 18.
MICA also has a goal to raise $5 million to build a permanent home for its community art center and emerging museum -- the first of its kind on Salt Lake City's west side.