Ray’s distributes cash to local groups

Ray’s Food Place in Sisters distributed $9,686.50 to community organizations last year through its corporate Community Rewards program.

According to store manager Jeff McDonald, 15 organizations tap into the program. Members turn in shopping receipts from Ray’s to group organizers, who in turn hand them in to Ray’s management. The store pays back one percent on those receipts as a donation to the program.

The benefit to the corporation is obvious: It encourages beneficiaries to shop more at the local store. The more they shop, the more the organization receives.

St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church topped the list of recipients with a net of $1,582.52. Sonrise Christian School received $1,257.52 and Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration took in $1,225.67.

According to McDonald, any nonprofit civic, church or school group can participate.

“We have an application program that they can go through,” he said.

Currently, groups like SOAR, Little Cloverdale Preschool, the Sisters High School Graduation party committee, several churches and other school programs participate.

McDonald said the program is corporate-wide, but each individual store runs its own effort and some are more aggressive about promoting it than others. With an active civic culture in Sisters, the program at the local Ray’s is more active than most.

“It’s been a great program here,” McDonald said.

Still, there are many groups in Sisters that might qualify that remain unaware of the program, he said. They are encouraged to apply.

“It works good for everybody concerned,” he said.

For more information on the Ray’s Community Awards Program, contact McDonald at 549-2222.