The SMU community could rope in an estimated $480,000 per year by grocery shopping.

With the introduction of the new Kroger Plus Stampede Savings card, every purchase SMU students, faculty, staff and alumni make at Kroger can aid in school funding.

For every purchase made at Kroger using the Stampede Savings card, Kroger will donate 2 percent to the university, according to www.smumustangs.com, the official site of Mustang athletics, where the card is currently advertised.

“But the money will not go to athletics alone, but to the entire university, including the Alumni Association and university administration,” Athletic Sales and Marketing Director Shawn Heilbron said.

Heilbron has played a major role in publicizing the card and feels that the first month’s success proves the program will greatly benefit the SMU community.

“In just one month, the cards have generated over $4,000 in donations for SMU,” Heilbron said, “and that’s with just over 1,000 cards, or 2 percent of the cards in the community, being used.”

The card works similarly to many other grocery savings cards. By swiping it at the register, one can receive savings on many items that regular shoppers do not. Along with regular savings, consumers can print out additional “SMU Exclusive” coupons. Kroger also has other savings opportunities in the making.

“Essentially, Kroger will do three things,” Woody Norris, senior associate athletic director said. “[It will] offer their normal card savings, give 2 percent of their profit back to SMU when the cards are used, and soon they will offer what they call the ‘Friends of SMU’ discounts on such brands as Coca-Cola.”

Norris, who has worked in the grocery business before, was one of the originators of the plan and feels positive about the future benefits to the SMU community.

Kroger had tried the project at a few midwestern schools but on a much smaller scale. With alumni, faculty, staff and students now involved, others schools are taking notice. Reportedly, The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M have contacted Kroger about the possibility of similar savings cards.

Whatever the case, SMU will continue to benefit.

“It’s simple,” Norris said, “Everybody shops. Why not be partners with one store and at the same time benefit our alma mater?”