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Vouchers boost Rhema’s
fundraising efforts
May 3, 2004 -
John Driscoll
Scrip is money in the bank for Rhema
and fundraisers at the school are
planning to put more emphasis on this
creative way to raise money needed
for expansion and operating expenses.
Through the Scrip program, families
raise funds for the school by making
purchases, from food and clothing
to a variety of other household goods
that they would make anyway, paying
the exact same amount they already
pay for these items.
With Scrip, the school buys coupons
or vouchers for retail goods at a
discounted price (an average of five
per cent) and sells them at face value
to members of the Rhema community.
The coupons are then used to purchase
items at face value.
Scrip is already an important part
of fundraising for the school, says
Joanne Brethour, business administrator.
The school has been making about $1,000
a month through the sale of Scrip
coupons to families to use at most
local supermarkets.
The Scrip program is a popular fundraising
tool among organizations across Canada.
“Everyone has to eat and shop,”
Joanne says. “You pay exactly
the same price at the store as you
always do but you are helping the
school at the same time.”
Members of the Rhema community who
have already bought into the Scrip
program spend about $20,000 a month
in groceries alone.
With increased enrolment and expansion
set for September, Rhema is going
to concentrate more on fundraising
and hopes to involve more people in
the Scrip program, Joanne says. “We
want to increase our fundraising by
selling as many vouchers as we can.”
It’s not just food that people
can buy. There are coupons available
for Tim Hortons, Canadian Tire and
many other major retail outlets. Retailers
have bought into the Scrip program
because it is convenient, helps to
retain customers and attracts new
customers.
The Scrip coupons are great for gifts,
Joanne points out. And with a Scrip
gift to someone, you are also giving
a gift to Rhema.
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