MIDDLETOWN – With a $15 billion-plus California state budget deficit and a slow economy, the PTSO at Middletown Middle School wants to keep their program running at high speed without hurting anyone's wallet.

The volunteer group is asking the community to help out through a 100-percent free fundraiser. There is absolutely no cost to supporters yet it provides much needed funds for our school.

The eScrip program allows parents, friends and strangers the chance to give money to schools at no cost to themselves by registering grocery store loyalty cards, major credit cards and debit cards. When the registered cards are used at participating stores, a percentage of those sales go to the program you chose.

"It's really a very simple way to give money to your school at no cost to you," said Suzanne Riccio, a parent volunteer at MMS. "Everyone should be doing it--everyone in the community."

According to Riccio, many people are confused about the program and do not realize how easy and secure it is. She said by registering a card, subscribers give the companies permission to donate money to the schools.

The percentage of sales, typically between 1 and 5 percent, is donated by the company, not the individual shopper. Safeway is one of the largest supporters and every time you use your registered club card a percentage of your purchase is donated to our school.

For those who want to support Lake County schools but have multiple causes close to their heart, eScrip subscriptions can be split between up to three separate groups. These groups can be changed, added and dropped through your online account. Subscriptions need to be updated yearly in November.

In order to subscribe, visit escrip.com. Be sure to enter the correct organization(s). Middletown Middle School PTSO is #6624953.

More information about the program, including a list of participating merchants is available at the eScrip Web site.

If you would like to subscribe but do not have access to a computer, please call Suzanne Riccio at 987-9756 and she will get you a paper copy to sign up.

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