Introduction:

ERC team expenses are met through a combination of team fund raisers and monthly cash calls from each player-member.

The ERC Grocery Fundraising Program creates a way for a player-member to raise funds for the team budget through the purchase of grocery cards from Sobeys and Safeway.

The stores rebate a sliding percentage on total purchases. Currently Sobeys has the more generous program with a maximum 10% rebate versus Safeway's 8% maximum.

Over the 2006-2007 season ERC teams generated approximately $45,000 from this program. This was more than what the ERC made on bingos last year and more than our annualized casino income of $35,000.

The advantage in having a centralized program is that by bulk ordering, the ERC can ensure that the maximum rebates are available to each team every month.

Ordering

Each ERC team will have a grocery representative to collect team member orders and payments and create a monthly order to be submitted to the ERC Grocery Program Director.

Player Accounts

Since this is such an individual method of fund raising, team treasurers will create separate player accounts to track the funds generated by each player's sales. The funds will be applied against the team's monthly cash calls.

Potential

If you look at what you spend monthly on groceries, etc. at stores such as Safeways and Sobeys and multiply that over the six month ringette season, the potential to generate funding for the team cash calls is considerable. at no cost in money or time.

Safeways also sells gasoline - a major monthly expenditure for which we can use the Safeway cards. My gas bill alone is well over $200 per month. If you are a Safeway Customer Card holder you will also reap an added 3.5 cent per liter discount.

Update: Safeways Gift cards cannot be used to purchase the gift cards from other stores which Safeway sells.

Network Family and Friends

Due to the nature of this program, there is no hesitation to tap into your entire network of family, friends and co-workers. You are not asking for donations. They can freely help out without spending a dime. In essence you are tapping into their purchasing power and being rewarded by the grocery chain in the form of the rebate program.

Everyone you know consumes groceries and buys gas every month. Sign them up for a regular monthly purchase over the six months.

Individual Choice

Unlike last season, this year the grocery fundraising program will be optional. Since the money generated will be credited to the individual player's "account", the decision to participate will be left up to the individual.