On Sunday, April 27th a 4X4 pick-up truck from Pastor Clark’s church pulled into CCSA’s driveway. The bed of the truck was over-filled with brown bags to which had been stapled CCSA’s list of most needed foods. It was quite obvious that this project took a lot of careful planning and hard work by many generous people.

The outreach effort of the East Clairemont Southern Baptist Church inspired me to find out a little bit more about ‘FAITH IN ACTION’. What is it? The ‘FAITH IN ACTION’ program is a national movement begun in 1983 by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on the premise of ‘neighbors helping neighbors’ through community volunteerism. There are hundreds of ‘FAITH IN ACTION’ programs across the country. Although each program is unique, all ‘FAITH IN ACTION’ programs are interfaith, voluntary efforts. As I reflected about this particular ‘faith-in-action’ project, I thought about the mission of CCSA. CCSA’s ministry, like ‘FAITH IN ACTION’, offers aid to help people reach and maintain their optimal level of independence. CCSA is grateful to East Clairemont Southern Baptist Church for its generosity to CCSA’s clients in need.! Thank you for your wonderful donation.

Every time your shop for food for your own family, you could be making a donation to CCSA. CCSA belongs to four different community rewards programs through local supermarkets which can help CCSA earn extra money for the agency’s programs. The four programs are: Escrip (the Vons reward program), Ralph’s Community Rewards, Albertson’s Community Partners, and Foo4Less Community Rewards program.

Escrip is the Vons reward program and is currently supported by 530 members. To participate in escrip all you have to do is sign up your Vons card at www.Escrip.com and 1-4% of your Vons purchases are donated to CCSA. Escrip also has the advantages of additional stores such as Keil’s and restaurants such as Coco’s, that will give donations if you sign up your credit or debit cards to make those purchases. Escrip provides an average of $400 per month to CCSA. Last year Escrip earned $5200 for CCSA. That was 3% of the total income.

Ralph’s Community Rewards uses your Ralph’s Club card number. You can sign up at www. ralphs.com/ccprogram.htm. You will need the NPO number, 82500. Unlike Escrip, you must renew your Ralph’s membership each year. The renewal time starts Sept 1st. The coordinator can’t do it for you. So, if you are a Ralph’s shopper, sign up now. The last donation to CCSA was $26.23 with 11 supporters.

Albertsons Community Partners uses your Albertsons card. You can sign up at www.albertsons.com/cp/. Our last quarterly check was $23.98 with 17 supporters.

Food4Less Community Rewards program is unique. You need a Food4Less Community Partners card which is available from your church’s CCSA representative. Our last quarterly check was $153.76 with three participating members.