Schnucks Markets joins support of union families in need with their eScrip program

You can automatically make a ‘$5 for the Fight’ donation when you buy groceries

Want to help the ‘$5 for the Fight’ campaign without directly spending a cent?

Thanks to the generosity of Schnucks Markets, there is a way to do just that as you do what you normally do – buy groceries – without any added cost.

It’s called the Schnucks eScrip Community Card.

Here’s how it works:

• You buy groceries at Schnucks.

• At checkout, hand your eScrip card to the cashier. The cashier swipes it. That’s it!

• Schnucks automatically designates one percent of your purchase to the $5 for the Fight Fund. The amount donated is on a monthly escalating scale:

– 1% for $0-$300;

– 2% for $301-$600;

– 3% for $601-$999.

Each month this percentage starts all over. Each month, Schnucks will present the appropriate monies to the Fight Fund for use on an ongoing basis.

And keep in mind, there is NO added cost to you. Schnucks makes the donation as part of its on-going commitment to the St. Louis community.

“Schnucks is a strong community partner and we are excited about the opportunities presented through the Schnucks eScrip Community Card.  It’s one of the best ways we have to say ‘thanks’ to our customers for their loyalty and patronage,” said Lori Willis, Schnucks spokesperson.

HOW TO START?

If you don’t have a card, it’s simple to get one. Just go to the Customer Service Center at any Schnucks to pick up a card. You can have the cashier swipe the card that day when you pay for your groceries. However, once you get home you must register the card to get credit for what you just purchased and for future purchases. There are two ways to register:

• Phone: call 1-800-931-6258. Say that you want your purchases credited toward “St. Louis Labor Council-5 for the Fight” – Group #500030665, OR

• Online at www.escrip.com/schnucks.jsp

When on line, here are the simple steps to follow:

Step 1: Click “register your card” and follow the prompts and fill-in all the required information.

Step 2: Make sure you indicate that you want your purchases credited toward “St. Louis Labor Council-5 for the Fight” where it asks you “Enter a Group Name” and then also check the box when the council’s name comes up.

Step 3: Select Schnucks eScrip as the type of card and enter 12-digit number from the back of your new eScrip card.

If you register within seven days of any purchase, that amount is retroactively credited to the $5 for the Fight Fund.

IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A CARD

If you already have a Schnucks eScrip Card, please call 1-800-931-6258 and add “St. Louis Labor Council-5 for the Fight” to your card.

You can designate up the three organizations to get the funding as long as they are registered with Schnucks to participate.

Each card comes with a handy smaller card that you can attach to your key chain so it’s handy each time you buy groceries.

By going to the eScrip website once you are registered, you’ll be able to track your donations. Please note, it takes 60 days for purchases to appear on the web site.

YOUR HELPING HAND

Brothers and Sisters, here’s the perfect way to reach out and help union families who are still out of work and need help with buying medicines, groceries, preventing a home foreclosure, paying a utility bill to prevent shutoff, etc.

And it doesn’t cost you an extra penny. All you are doing is your normal food shopping – and you’re helping a union brother or sister in need.

“We extend our sincerest appreciation to the Schnucks organization for their willingness to extend their incredible community support program to the $5 for the Fight Fund that will be a tremendous boost to the Fund’s efforts to help our union families,” said a joint statement from UFCW Local 655 President David Cook, who organized the effort with Schnucks, and St. Louis Labor Council President Bob Soutier; the council that monitors and provides all the staff support for the program.

All donations go directly to the Fight Fund to be distributed to union families in crisis.

Need help? The Fight Fund is here for union families

If you are in need of emergency help, please don’t be too proud to ask for assistance.

• Contact your union who will verify your union membership. The union will then send your name on to the United Way’s labor liaison staff.

• You will then need call the United Way Labor Line at 314-539-4189.

• The Labor Liaisons will discuss your need and process requests in line with established criteria.

All contacts are strictly confidential!

In addition to the “$5 for the Fight” funds, the United Way has set aside some monies to help as well. Plus, the United Way can make referrals to other agencies where specific kinds of help and services are available.

The Fight Honor Roll is published the first week of each month in the Labor Tribune to acknowledge the kindness and generosity of donors.

Locals can help distribute the eScrip cards at meeting, events

Attention all locals.

At your union meetings or any upcoming special events like a picnic, pin presentation or a holiday party, there’s an easy way to help union families out-of-work and needing some form of assistance that’s provided by the $5 for the Fight Fund.

Here’s how:

• The union can set up an eScrip subscription table at the event.

• Union members will be given a special form to gather information needed for the card.

• The card can be given to interested members immediately and are usable right away.

Cards and registration forms are available through the United Way Labor Liaison office.

The more people that can be registered, the more money can be raised quickly for the $5 for the Fight Fund.

To get started, contact Amy Phillips, United Way Labor Liaison — 314- 539-4192 or amy.phillips@stl.unitedway.org. She will work out details with your local.