Both Stop & Shop and Hannaford’s Supermarkets offer a gift card program in which 5% of the purchase price goes back to the school. The concept of the program is quite simple. We buy a Stop & Shop or Hannafords gift card for $95 and sell it to you for $100. The key to the success of this program is to get into a regular routine of purchasing the cards from us. There isn't any long term commitment for you and your participation can vary as needed. We just need to know in advance how much you wanted. You use these for your regular weekly shopping as you would cash. 

The chart below shows how much money we could actually raise if we run this every week over the course of the school year (40 weeks) and get 5% back. As you can see, a considerable amount of money can be raised this way. The best part is, you’re not spending any more than you would normally spend!

The money raised would be used for field trips, smile money, cultural events and to subsidize other materials, software and hardware that the school needs that is not covered by the budget. 

The program will start the week of November 14th.   

Here is the simple process to order your cards:

• Anyone wishing to participate in the Grocery Card Program needs to place card order with Donna Burkhart via email (djburkhart@comcast.net) or phone (978-568-9870) no later than Monday at 12:00 noon indicating the store and total amount of cards (note amount denominations if preferences) they would like to purchase.
• Payment needs to be received at the school no later than Tuesday.
• Grocery Cards will be sent home via back pack (unless other arrangements have been made) on Thursday.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Q: Will we still accrue Gas/Shopping Points (Stop & Shop)?
  A: Yes - The cards are just a form of payment and have no impact on gas/shopping points. 
   
• Q: Can we use these to purchase gas at Stop & Shop?
  A: Yes - you just need to bring it inside to pay. 
   
• Q: Do we need to purchase every week if we participate in the program?
  A: No.  You purchase whenever you want and how much you want.  You are not locked into anything.
   
• Q: What if I don't use the entire value of the card?
  A: If there is a balance on the card, you can use it during another shopping trip.
   
• Q: Can I order different denominations?
  A: When you place your order, you will indicate how many of each denomination you want.  So you can get one $100 card or two $50 cards or whatever combiantion you choose.  You will be able to order cards in the following denominations: $50, $100.
   
• Q: Will the cards be sent home activated?
  A: The cards will be sent home "activated" which means they are the same as cash.  If we track the card numbers, there would be a way that we could deactivate an unused/lost card.  As the program starts, we will be looking into the feasability of tracking all of the card numbers.  Initially, specific card numbers will not be tracked unless someone volunteers specifically for this.
   
• Q: Will credit cards be accepted?
  A:Initially, we will only work with cash & check.  We are working on a credit card process and will notify you as soon as one becomes available. There will be a "minimum purchase" with the credit card orders but that amount has not been decided yet.
   
• Q: What will the process be to ensure that all money & cards are accounted for?
  A: There are multiple ways in which the program will be monitored.  First and foremost, each participant will need to make sure that they get what they paid for.  The expectation is that the MSPA will not be hanging onto to cards for an extended period of time. Second, the money will be collected by the administrator and forwarded to the Treasurer.  Lastly, the program administrator(s) will be responsible for keeping track of orders and deliveries. We welcome input/assistance to help keep the program secure.
• Q: How do we sign up?
  
  • Contact Donna Burkhart via email (djburkhart@comcast.net)
  • or phone (978-568-9870)
  • no later than Monday at 12:00 noon
  • indicating the store and total amount of cards  
• Q: What will the process be?
  A: Below is a summary of the current plan:
  • Participant places an order as indicated above.
  • Participant sends in their envelope to school with their payment inside it.
  •  Orders are matched up with incoming envelopes & payments.
  • Cards are sorted into the envelopes and put into teacher mailboxes. If you prefer to pick the cards up at school, please indicate so on your money envelope.
  • An email to participants is sent the day that the cards are deliverd to the teachers so that they know to check the backpack to get the card.

We welcome your suggestions on how to make this process better, safer and more efficient.  Please contact Donna Burkhardt at djburkhart@comcast.net for more information or to volunteer to help.  If you are ready to sign up for this program, please call or email Donna djburkhart@comcast.net.