As you know, the KrogerCARES program in which we participated last year was changed in the fall to a new, simpler program. The new system is connected to your Kroger Plus Rewards card, which provides discounts and specials and fuel discount points. Many parishioners have registered their Kroger Plus Rewards cards in the new program with the proceeds coming to Manakin. (The new program pays out quarterly, instead of every four weeks like the CARES system.) Under the old program, we had distributed well over 100 cards. Only 45 individuals or families have signed up for the new program. As a result, the proceeds late last year for the fourth quarter of 2014 were down from the earlier funds.

If you had difficulty signing up, it is very important for you to get involved in the new program. The simplest way for those who had trouble is to stop at Customer Service next time you’re in the Kroger store and ask for a new Kroger Plus Rewards card. As soon as you get home, go to www.Kroger.com and search for “Kroger Plus Rewards.” On that page, you should find a link for “Kroger Community Rewards.” On that page, scroll down to the listing for Virginia and click on “enroll.” Find the store you go to most frequently, click on, and follow the enrollment instructions.

Difficulty still? Let us know.

Once you are enrolled in this new version of the Kroger Cares Program, you do not need to do anything else except use your card each time you make a grocery or gas purchase. As a back-up in case you do not have your card on you at the time of purchase, you may use your phone number as an “alternate number.” This may be done at the Customer Service Desk.

It is critically important for as many of us as possible to enroll in the program. We received over $8,000 in the original pro-gram, and included $5,000 in the current year’s budget in anticipation of the proceeds from the new one. If you are not signed up, please do so right away. If you are not sure if your card is enrolled, you can go through the steps above and check the status of your card. If you have forgotten your password, you can do this with your email address only – just hit “forgot my password” and they will send you a new one.

Many thanks to all that have participate in this unique fund-raiser – and please get signed up if you have not done so!