Frequently Asked Questions
About the
Mother Catherine Spalding’s Scrip Program
This FAQ sheet is designed to answer your questions about the program.
- What is Scrip?
“Scrip” is negotiable prepaid gift cards and gift certificates that are used just like cash. Many store in our community where you already shop regularly issue these gift cards and certificates. You can use scrip to purchase everyday expenses like food, clothing, gas and other essentials, and with every purchase, you earn revenue for Mother Catherine Spalding. Our school is able to buy these gift cards and certificates at a negotiated discount and resell them to you at full face value. The discount is from 1 ½ to 15 percent or more. Scrip is popular because families don’t have to sell anything. Mother Catherine families produce revenue by making regular household purchases they would make anyway. Groceries, clothing, toys, gifts, even gasoline can be purchased with scrip.
2. Where can I use Scrip?
There are currently over 100 restaurants, grocery stores, drug stores, gas stations and retail stores in the tri-count area where you can use scrip! There are over 500 nationally known retailers that offer scrip that we can order.
3. Is it easy to use?
Scrip is very east to use. Use scrip just like cash; you can use manufactures’ coupons and buy things on sale. There is no difference between scrip and cash when you go shopping, except that you are using gift cards or certificates for that particular store. Depending on the merchant, you can even use your scrip to do catalog or online shopping.
4. What is the catch?
Your participation does not cost you anything! For example, you buy $400 worth of gift cards for Food Lion for one month’s worth of groceries. Mother Catherine’s previously bought the gift cards for $380, so Food Lion has, in essence, given us $20 in profit! So you buy $$00 in Food Lion gift cards, it costs you $400 and you receive $400 worth of goods for the gift cards.
5. Is there a minimum amount of Scrip that I must buy?
Yes, each family is required to spend $2000. in scrip cards. You must purchase them by May 10th in order for your purchases to count for this year’s quote of $2000. Even if you spend just $50 per week in groceries, that adds up to $2,600 for a year. Everyday expenses like gas, food and clothing can add up to thousands of dollars each year. During the program year which is June 1st through May 10th, you may purchase as often as you’d like, as much as you’d like, and form as many participating stores as you’d like.
6. Can family and friends purchase Scrip?
Absolutely! You are strongly encouraged to have family members, friends and co-workers buy scrip as well – just make sure they use your name when they purchase. Remember, the more scrip you buy during the program year, the more revenue is generated for Mother Catherine Spalding.
7. What type of Scrip do your offer?
We offer in-stock and special order scrip. We keep the most popular, local scrip (grocery, gas and selected retail) in stock for everyday purchase. All other retailers can be special ordered from our supplier, Great Lake Scrip Center (GLSC) which has over 500 national retailers that participate in the scrip program! Many of your favorite, nationally known retailers participate. You can see a listing of all participating retailers and find out usage information regarding the gift cards and certificates they offer on the Great Lakes Scrip Center website at www.glscrip.com. If you don’t have internet access, contact the Scrip Coordinator and you will be sent a list of retailers and the denominations and percentages they offer.
8. How do I order Scrip? When will I receive it?
In-stock scrip – We offer local grocery, gas and some selected retail scrip that we keep in-stock for purchase. You can purchase in-stock scrip three ways:
1. During the school year, you can order scrip Monday through Friday through school. Pre-printed order forms will we sent home in special envelopes in the Thursday folder.
i. Complete the order form.
ii. Make check out to Mother Catherine Spalding School.
iii. Put the order form and check in the envelope.
iv. Send envelope with form and check to school with your child.
v. Orders for scrip on hand are filled if available and returned home with your child the next school day.
vi. You will receive your envelope and a new order form for your next order with your cards.
vii. Scrip may be purchased on Tuesday before Mass 8:00a.m. – 8:45a.m. and after Mass 9:30a.m. to 10:30a.m. in the front lobby.
2. You may purchase scrip between 4:00pm-5:30pm in the front lobby on Friday.
Special Order Scrip – Great Lake Scrip Center (GLSC) is where we order all of our other retailer scrip. You can order this specialty retailer scrip from our Shop With Scrip website at www.shopwithscrip.com. ShopWithScrip lets scrip using families place their GLSC orders online anytime day or night. Please see the ShopWithScrip information flyer in this scrip packet. The Scrip Coordinator places all orders every Friday and the cards will be sent home in the Thursday folder. When you submit your order, you can indicate which of two ways you wish to receive your scrip:
1. It can be sent home with your child.
2. You can pick it up from the school on Friday from 4:00p.m. – 5:30p.m. in the front lobby.
9. Who do I contact for more information?
You can call Barbara Lilly, the Scrip Program Coordinator, for more information at 301-884-3165 (school) she will be at school some morning if she is not available leave a message and she will get back to you or you can email her at [email protected].
