news article
Staples rebate program exceeds $17,000 contribution to UMCOR for 2015
September 28, 2015 / By the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) and Staples introduced a purchasing program at the end of 2012 with a financial component that would benefit ministries of The United Methodist Church. Through Staples Advantage, United Methodists can use the many services and products offered by Staples and generate donations to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) – the general agency that reaches people in more than 80 countries, providing humanitarian relief to areas affected by war, conflict, and natural disasters.
The donation for 2015 is $17,457. Using the program, churches and individuals receive savings through online and in-store shopping on many items frequently used by churches throughout the connection.
The program gives a 1 percent rebate on all sales generated through purchases by churches and United Methodist groups who sign up for the free Staples Advantage program, and the donation is made to UMCOR.
Moses Kumar, General Secretary of GCFA, said the partnership with Staples has served as a great support to the ministries of The United Methodist Church through UMCOR. “We continue to look for additional ways to help throughout the United Methodist connection,” Kumar said.
Thomas Kemper, General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries, extended his appreciation to GCFA for its role in setting up the program.
“We thank the General Council on Finance and Administration for designating the United Methodist Committee on Relief as recipient of funds. The money is generated when United Methodist churches and institutions make purchases from the Staples family of stores. This donation adds to our ability to respond to crises around the world, including the needs of refugees and survivors of storms, floods, and earthquakes,” Kemper said. “UMCOR represents the humanitarian spirit of the United Methodist people and is a central unit of our General Board of Global Ministries. We thank the churches and others who made possible the contribution through their purchasing decisions, and we thank the Staples organization for initiating the church rewards program.”
United Methodist churches and related organizations can participate in the program by visiting www.StaplesAdvantage.com/UnitedMethodists, completing an online form, and being put in touch with a representative to answer questions and facilitate use of the program.
The General Council on Finance and Administration coordinates and administers financial resources, safeguards the legal interests and rights of the Church, and provides administrative resources to enable the fulfillment of the mission of The United Methodist Church. Learn more at www.gcfa.org.