First Presbyterian Church is offering a SCRIP Program

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Presenting a new way to give to the church by doing what you already do!

We are offering a session approved SCRIP program to interested persons as a new way to give to special needs of the  church without altering a single penny of your household budget.  You have seen SCRIP before, though you may not realize it.  If you have ever used or bought a gift card, voucher, or gift certificate, then you have already used SCRIP without knowing it.

How it benefits the church.  Some stores allow large purchasers of  giftcards and certificates to buy at a discount.  A national clearinghouse for SCRIP has been created which allows us to participate, with the church receiving anywhere from 1% to 13% of face value of the giftcard.   The amount of discount depends on the retailer, generally restaurants have the highest percentage kept by the church, while large retail stores average between 2% and 7%.

How you can help.  If you are able to plan your purchases in advance, whether groceries, gifts, etc, you could purchase SCRIP certificates prior to going shopping, and while spending the exact same amount of money, allow a percentage of your purchase to be retained by the church.

For example:  A person gives $100 in gift cards to an electronics store to relatives.  Through a SCRIP program at church, one could purchase the same giftcards for the same amount that could be bought at the store location.  The church might only pay $97 for the cards, allowing the church to keep $3.

$3 doesn’t seem like much.  If one person buys one gift card, then this really is a drop in the bucket.  However, if each month your household spends $150 in groceries, and for birthdays gives $200 in gift cards, the SCRIP savings to the church would be $40.  That would be for one family, only using SCRIP for groceries and gifts.  Imagine what could be given to the church if many families were able to use the SCRIP program in many parts of their shopping plans.

What types of store SCRIP or products can be purchased?  Grocery stores, electronics stores, home improvement, restaurants, fastfood, autoparts stores, airlines, Cruiselines (directly booked), hotels and motels, healthfood stores, craft supply stores, camera stores longdistance phone cards , bookstores, coffee shops, gas stations, online stores, department and chain stores that you might find at the mall, outdoors and sporting goods stores, hair salons, office supply stores, toy stores, pharmacies, ice cream shops, clothing and shoe stores,  movie theatres and movie rental businesses. 

If you have any questions, or would like to place an order for SCRIP, please contact Garry Griffith at the church or signup on any Sunday.   SCRIP certificates are ordered on Sunday and will be available the following Sunday for pick-up.

Posted July 5, 2009, 4:57 pm | Comments Off 

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