Cards for Kids

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The Cards for Kids program is a St. Joseph School Council fundraiser where proceeds go directly toward the operating budget of our school. We purchase gift cards in bulk at a discount, so when you use them to pay for everyday expenses and gifts the school earns between 2 - 15% of the face value.

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Buy $100, Get $100

Buy cards at face value, get face value at the retailers - you lose nothing

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Shop As Usual

Our standard order form has cards from 16 local merchants, our special order form has over 30!

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Pay With Gift Cards

Pay with gift cards instead of credit/debit/cash for your everyday items and gifts

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Generate Earnings

Each purchase you make returns between 5-15% to the school to cover operational expenses

ideas on how to use these shopping cards

  • $$ for your car's gas
  • $$ for your family groceries
  • Teachers’ gifts (They need gas and groceries too!)
  • Birthday gifts 
  • Gifts for family, friends, employees, co-workers (Check out our Special Order Form)
  • Donations to organizations (e.g. Freedom’s Door, St. Vincent de Paul, The Food Bank)
  • Prescriptions

Thanks to your support, C4K raised $21,350 last year!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy the cards?  During the school year (excluding school closure days, Christmas and spring breaks):

  • St. Joseph School office, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • School Parking lot, Tuesdays, 2:30 to 3:00.
  • Print off the order form above and send it to the school - then pick up your order at the office.
  • Set up a standing order (with post-dated cheques) to be picked up at regular intervals - no waiting, no fuss!
  • St. Charles Garnier Parish, the last Sunday of every month, after all the masses.

During Christmas, spring and summer breaks, watch for announcements regarding availability.

Do the cards expire?  No.

If I spend only part of the value of the card, do I lose it?  No. The balance remains on the card until you use it.

What do I do with the card when it has no money left on it?  Discard it. Then buy a new one from us!

Can I reload the cards?  No. However, Marketplace IGA cards can be reloaded. Contact us for more information.

Will I still earn rewards points from the stores (e.g. More Rewards at Save-on-Foods, PC Points at Superstore, Air Miles at Safeway)?  Yes. Merchants treat the cards like cash.

How can I pay for the cards?  We accept debit, cash and cheque.

Why don’t you accept credit cards?  The fees are too high and eliminate much of our profit.

What return do you earn on the cards?  5%-15%. Please refer to our order form for percentages per card.

I don’t buy cards because I like to earn credit card points.  Most credit cards give you 1% back on your purchases. The school earns up to 15%. So for $100 you spend at a grocery store, you get $1 from your credit card, but the school could get up to $8. Would you give up $1 so the school can earn $8?

I remember you offered a wider selection of cards. Can I still buy those? Yes. Choose the Special Order Form that includes cards from over 30 merchants. If you wish to place a one-time order of more than $250 or a standing order of any amount, we can bring in the cards you want. We promote the special order form before Christmas.

Can you sell every Sunday or at other parishes?  We would love more volunteers to make this fantastic idea happen.

How can I get more information on this program?  Contact us at ac.dnsic@sdikrofsdrac.

Why now? 

Why should you start purchasing even one card a month?

In the process of planning and budgeting for our fantastic new school, it was decided that the parishes subsidies would be allocated to capital costs rather than operating costs.  As a result, the school needs raise $80,000 per year to cover this deficit. Cards for Kids helps without asking families to spend EXTRA money.

Our goal is to raise $20,000 this year; to do so, we need to sell more cards.  Please consider buying an extra card per month to help us make this program a huge success.