Shopping Card Program

Supporting the St. John Neumann Catholic Education Scholarship Fund

ª Download Program Brochure (PDF) ª View Complete Store List ª
ª Download Order Form (PDF) ª Submit Order Online ª

Give to St. John Neumann . . . while you shop!

Every time you buy groceries, fill your tank with gas, shop for household items, or dine out using shopping cards, you are giving back to St. John's education fund. Purchase the shopping cards at face value and spend face value - it's as easy as that!

Buy from our in-stock collection at any weekend MASS or during the week from 8:30 am to 3 pm at the PARISH OFFICE, or fill out an order form online, or print a copy and drop off at the Parish Office with your payment at Mass, then pick up your order when you go to Mass the following weekend. Everything you purchase gives money back to St. John's for Catholic education!

How does the program work?

When St. John Neumann purchases shopping cards, we're purchasing gift certificates that are used just like cash. The cards are offered at a discount by national and local retailers where our families already shop. These merchants want to support non-profit organizations, and in return ask you to support them by shopping with our shopping cards at their stores. Parishioners purchase the shopping cards for full face value and can use shopping cards to purchase everyday expenses like food, clothing, and other essentials. With every purchase, from 2-15% of the value is revenue for our parish.

What are the funds raised used for?

The revenue from the Shopping Card Program goes to the St. John Neumann Catholic Education Scholarship Fund. Scholarship applications are accepted from Parish families and those youth that are sponsored by an active member of our church. Its mission is to provide tuition assistance for Religious Education programs and Catholic schools. This fund will provide countless experiences for our young people to participate fully in learning our Catholic Faith and strengthening their relationship with Jesus. As a parish under the patronage of Saint John Neumann who pioneered the parochial school system here in the United States, we remain committed to providing even more opportunities to all families seeking quality Catholic Education and Formation for their children.

Where can I purchase Shopping Cards?

Shopping Cards are sold in St. John's gathering area after Masses every Saturday and Sunday, and at the parish office daily from 8:30 am to 3 pm, where you can purchase direct from the cards in stock. You may also shop at your leisure by completing an order form, dropping it off at the Shopping Card table or church office, faxing your order to the office at 410-208-4584, or submitting your order online. Orders received by 10 a.m. on Monday will be ready for pick up at the church on Fridays or at the weekend Masses.

Shopping Cards are "shopping cart fundraising”

The reason for the effectiveness of shopping cards is simple: families generate revenue through purchases they would make anyway. Groceries, clothing, toys, gifts, even gasoline can be purchased with shopping cards. Our parish of 1800 families easily spends between $10-$12 million dollars per year on food, clothing and other essentials. If our families use shopping cards for these purchases, St. John could raise as much as $400,000 per year --without spending an additional penny. That's nearly a half a million free dollars!!

Retailers like Shopping Cards, too.

Families who purchase shopping cards actively support the retailers who participate in this program. The reason is simple… they know that buying from a participating retailer provides a steady source of revenue for their church. A whole variety of merchants participate - download a complete list here. Here are some regional favorites:

Apparel & Accessories: American Eagle Outfitters, Banana Republic, Boscov's, Brooks Brothers, Claire's, Disney, Dress Barn, Eddie Bauer, Express, Gap, Gymboree, J Crew, JCPenney, Kay Jewelers, KMart, Kohl's, LL Bean, Lands End, Limited, Macy's, Marshalls, Old Navy, Payless Shoes, Sam's Club, Sears, Sunglass Hut, Talbots, Tanger Outlets, The Children's Place, WalMart
Books & Music: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Borders, iTunes, KB Toys, Sam Goody, Toys-R-Us
Children & Teens: Amazon.com, American Eagle Outfitters, Barnes & Noble, Baskin Robbins, Best Buy, Blockbuster, Borders, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Chuck E Cheese, Claire's, Disney, Game Stop, Gymboree, iTunes, J Crew, KB Toys, Lands' End, The Limited, Marshalls, Old Navy, Regal Entertainment, The Children's Place, Toys-R-Us
Department Stores: Boscov's, JCPenney, KMart, Kohl's, Macy's, Marshalls, Sears
Dining: Applebee's, Arby's, Baskin Robbins, Bob Evans, Boston Market, Burger King, California Pizza Kitchen, Carrabba's, Chili's Grill, Chuck E Cheese, Cold Stone Creamery, Cracker Barrel, Domino's Pizza, Dunkin' Donuts, KFC, Olive Garden, Outback, Panera Bread, Pizza Hut, Red Lobster, Ruby Tuesday, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Starbucks, Subway, TGI Friday's, Uno Chicago Grill, Wendy's
Discount & Outlet Stores: KMart, Marshalls, Sam's Club, Tanger Outlets, WalMart
Electronics & Office: Amazon.com, Best Buy, Dell Computer, Game Stop, Radio Shack, Sam's Club, Staples, Tanger Outlets, WalMart
Entertainment: Best Buy, Blockbuster, Disney, Game Stop, iTunes, KB Toys, Regal Entertainment, Sam Goody, Toys-R-Us
Gas & Auto: Advance Auto Parts, BP, Chevron, Exxon, Jiffy Lube, Mobil, Sam's Club, Sears, Sheetz, Shell, Sunoco, Texaco, WalMart, Wawa
Grocery: American Express, Food Lion, Giant, Harry & David, Hickory Farms, Super Fresh, WalMart
Health & Beauty: Bath & Body Works, CVS, Regis Salons, Rite Aid, WalMart, Walgreens
Home Decor: Bed Bath & Beyond, JC Penney, JoAnn Fabrics, Kohl's, LL Bean, Macy's, Marshalls, Pier 1 Imports, Pottery Barn, Sears, Tanger Outlets, Williams-Sonoma
Home Improvement: Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Lowe's , Sears
Online & Catalog: 1-800-Flowers, Amazon.com, Borders, Brookstone, Cabela's, Cooking.com, Crate & Barrel, Dell Computer, Dennis Uniform, Dick's Sporting Goods, Disney, f.y.e., Fannie May Candies, Harry & David, Hickory Farms, Home Shopping Network, iTunes, Linens 'n Things, Omaha Steaks, Overstock.com, Shutterfly
Sporting Goods: Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, Dick's Sporting Goods, Gander Mountain, LL Bean, REI Sporting Goods, Sports Authority, Tanger Outlets
Travel: American Express, Avis Car Rental, Best Western, Budget Car Rental, Carnival Cruises, Clarion Hotels, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Courtyard, Disney, Fairfield Inn, Hyatt Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Quality Inn, Renaissance Hotels, Residence Inn, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Sleep Inn, Spring Hill Suites, Towne Place Suites

What types of organizations participate in Shopping Cards?

Just about any non-profit group including churches, schools, cub scouts and girl scouts, sports and music booster groups, and more. The concept was actually started by a group of parents at a Catholic School in California. Their school was going to be closed due to budget difficulties. The group talked to retailers to set up the discount purchases, sold gift certificates to parishioners and school families, and saved their school from closing.

Where do the Shopping Cards come from?

St. John Neumann purchases the majority of Shopping Cards from Great Lakes Scrip Center, the leading company in this program. Great Lakes Scrip Center purchases the cards directly from the retailers. The cards we provide are the same gift cards you would buy if you went to the participating retailer and purchased them yourself - but by purchasing through the parish, we earn 2-15% of the sale.

Do you ever run out of Shopping Cards? What happens then?

Occasionally, St. John Neumann may temporarily run out of a particular Shopping Card, particularly as we learn what our parishioners most like to purchase. When that happens, we will order replacements and the Shopping Cards will be available the following week.

Does it cost a family anything to participate?

There are no membership fees or application fees. Our families simply pay St. John the face value for the Shopping Cards they order. The beauty of the program lies in the fact that our parishioners raise money for Catholic education by using their existing household shopping budget. There is no extra dollars given, yet the potential for St. John to receive tens of thousands of dollars is real. Some families may enlist relatives, friends and neighbors to buy cards, but unlike other fundraising programs, families do not have to "sell" anything to raise money for our parish.

How can I help?

The most important thing you can do is to make using Shopping Cards for your regular purchases a routine. Tell your friends and encourage their participation. Volunteers for selling Shopping Cards at weekend Masses are always welcomed. Leave your name and telephone number at the Parish Office and the Volunteer Coordinator will contact you.