Capitalists For Shared Income
An Innovative Response to Income Inequality

In November 2022, we distributed $17K in debit card value to our three Distribution Partners:
250 $15 Target cards: $ 3,750
223 $10 Target cards: $ 2,230
190 $ecurity Cards : $11,020
You can read a sample of the testimonials from those that received Target cards, pictures and testimonials from those that received $ecurity Cards, and review data measuring how the $ecurity Cards are being used.


In March 2022, we distributed retail debit cards and $ecurity Cards to our three Distribution Partners. We are thrilled to shares some of the feedback received so far:
Cocoa Packs (Hershey, PA)
"Truly no adequate words to express our gratitude. The impact is so profound. One example: a mother was able to buy her special needs son a train set. It warmed her heart to see his face light up as they played with it together. Many are saving their cards for Easter but here is some feedback from our distribution this week."
-- Christine Drexler, Founder & President
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"Last Tuesday night a candle caught our curtains on fire. We grabbed our fire extinguisher and realized it was outdated. Because of the gift card we were able to purchase a new one at Target.com that cost the exact amount we received. The generosity you shared is truly now part of keeping us safe."
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"Our grandson who we are raising was beat up in school by bullies. He has been very depressed. We gave him the gift card and he got a big smile on his face."
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"I was able to buy diapers for my son."
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"I was able to buy the right size diapers for my son."
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"I used it to purchase Easter items for my children."
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"I was able to purchase a new crib mattress for my daughter. It is so deeply appreciated ."
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I was able to buy a special toy for my son for Easter that I would not have been able to purchase otherwise."
and, our favorite:
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"I looked at the gift card and thought about it long & hard all week and decided to bring it back to you to bless someone else who might need it more than I do."
Arsola’s Distribution Center and Community Services (Oakland, CA)
"Everyone was so thankful for the $ecurity Cards. Here is some representative feedback."
-- Candi Thornton, Founder & Executive Director
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"I will use this for gas since gas is so high."
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"I will help my granddaughter buy diapers for her baby."
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"I will use this to buy some storage containers."
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"I will use this for gas."
Trinity Center (Walnut Creek, CA)
"Lilia is a 19 yr. old ... who has a 2 year old child and is currently without a home. She is in a working internship program to become a nurse’s assistant, and came into Trinity Center today for an ID voucher and help with the livescan fee for her new job/internship. Trinity Center was able to give her a $58 $ecurity Card, to which Lilia was extremely thankful. Once she starts working for a month, Trinity Center will collect her paystubs and make an official housing referral! This was a very needed step in the process."
-- Jon Lawrence, Young Adult Program Coordinator (03/28/2022)
"We handed out another C4SI $ecurity Card today. Gary (52 years old) has been coming to Trinity Center for 3 weeks now and we helped him with several job applications. This resulted in employment! With the $58 $ecurity Card he was able to buy steel toe shoes for his first day of work! With his income we will be able to help him find housing. Thank you!!"
-- Marjolein Daas, Associate Director (04/14/2022)
"We gave out another $ecurity Card today. One of our members from our day program, and also participating in our evening program, was successful in obtaining an apartment. She has used the months in our evening program to stay safe as much as possible. She has worked really hard and spent many hours to get financially stable. She got the keys for her apartment today and is trying to get all that she needs in place. As you know, it can be expensive to set up an apartment! We are helping her with obtaining a bed and other furniture. We also gave her a $ecurity Card to buy new towels, hygiene/cleaning products, etc. She is so happy and grateful!
Handing out a $ecurity Card is a great moment for all of us at Trinity Center. It is a blessing to see the happiness on the members face and it also warms the hearts of all of us! Thank you for giving us the opportunity!!
-- Marjolein Daas, Associate Director (05/02/2022)
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As part of our distribution in Dec 2021, we asked Trinity Center to do a survey for us so we could get some data on the usefulness of C4SI $ecurity Cards. We designed the survey in the following way:
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Survey 50 people
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All 50 would receive the same distribution containing personal hygiene supplies
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25 of the 50 would also receive a $58 $ecurity Card as part of their distribution
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All 50 would be asked a few questions about their distribution
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All 50 would be given a $15 retail debit card after answering the questions
Here are the results of the survey:
1. On a scale from 1-10, how happy are you with this distribution?
w/ $ecurity Card
mean: 9.64
rank 10: 18
rank 9: 5
rank 8: 2
w/o $ecurity Card
mean: 9.44
rank 10: 18
rank 9: 1
rank 8: 5
rank 7: 1
2. Which item contained in this distribution is the most helpful?
w/ $ecurity Card
$ecurity Card 44%
toothbrush/toothpaste 32%
shampoo 8%
w/o $ecurity Card
toothbrush/toothpaste 44%
hand sanitizer 8%
socks 8%
We asked an additional question of the 25 people receiving a $ecurity Card.
3. How do you plan to use the $ecurity Card?
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groceries
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medication
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transportation necessities
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phone bill -- thanks a lot!
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I'll save it
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I need to buy feminine stuff for menstruation. Need toiletries. I need to self-care with face/body stuff when center for homeless is not open
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it means comfort, support and a better means to support myself
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food
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will use to buy diaper wipes
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will use it for food
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I will by a razor
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Can buy N95 mask. It helps with the inflation.
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groceries
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more money to spend and happy to use it
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buy kids a couple of pants
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can meet a financial need
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groceries
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buy groceries that I need
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grocery shopping
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I can buy something that I desire
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can now pay a bill
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opportunity to get myself what is important and what I need
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by buying things I need
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currently transportation purposes
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to get certain hygiene items and as a "rainy day" life saver
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On December 23, 2021, we distributed the first $58 $ecurity Card generated by income from our endowment. This was our original mission: create an endowment of capitalist wealth and use the proceeds to pay out cash dividends to those living in poverty. We seeded the endowment on 08/31/2021. Trinity Center (Walnut Creek, CA) assisted us in identifying someone who would benefit from a $ecurity Card. It was great to meet and speak to Marla and give her a $ecurity Card. Marla has struggle with homelessness for a number of years but with the aide of Trinity Center has secured subsidized housing.
"I am grateful for the money I got from C4SI. Receiving money has made a big impact in my life since I was finally able to get an oil change for my car. It is great to know that someone is looking out for us, the people in need."
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In December 2021, our Distribution Partner Cocoa Packs (Hershey, PA) asked its $ecurity Card recipients how they would use the $ecurity Card and what it meant to them. Cocoa Packs reported back that many recipients were moved to tears upon receipt. Here are some representative responses:
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“This card means everything. It means so much that someone cares about me enough to share this generosity.”
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“I will buy gas. My mom passed away and now I will be able to drive myself to my mom’s funeral.”
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“I will use it to buy diapers for my baby. I appreciate the unexpected blessing.”
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“I will get some things for the holidays that we would not have been able to get.”
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“I will buy school items.“
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“I will buy socks & underwear.”
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“Some essentials for the house like toilet paper & laundry detergent.”
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“I will buy feminine products. This gift is truly a life saver.”
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“Food items I would not have been able to buy. Thank you, this was incredibly helpful.”
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“I will buy pet food.”
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On December 14, 2021, we visited our Distribution Partner Arsola’s House (Oakland, CA) to distribute $ecurity Cards to some of those who were waiting in line in their car to receive Arsola’s food distribution. We asked recipients how they would use the $ecurity Card and what it meant to them. Just as Cocoa Packs reported back to us, we witnessed first hand many recipients being moved to tears. Here are some representative responses:

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“This is so meaningful. I will use it for gas.”
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“This is so kind. I’m going to use it for food. In fact, I may buy extra crab meat to make my Christmas gumbo extra special for my family!”
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“I’m going to use this to do something special for my grandkids.”
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“I’m going to use this to help someone else.”
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“Wow! My grandson and I will use this to get groceries.”
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“This means a lot. I have 9 grandchildren. I will use it to buy food.”
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“As a mommy, this means so much. Things are hard right now. I need a lot for me and my kids. This makes me feel joyful.”
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“I am on my feet all day at work, and my feet hurt. I will use this for new shoes.”
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“This is a blessing!”
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“It’s nice when people give help. This makes me cry. I will probably share it with someone else who needs it even more than me.”
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“This means so much. I will use it for food.”
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“This is a blessing. I will use it to complete my shopping for Chistmas dinner.”
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“This will help me a lot. I will use it for food & shirts.”
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“This is a blessing. I will use it to pay a bill.”
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“I will buy gas.”
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“This means a lot. I will use it to buy milk & juice."
In the weeks that followed, Arsola's continued to get feedback from those who received $ecurity Cards on December 14, 2021. On 02/07/2022, one recipient wrote:
"I would like to thank you for the debit card. It was a Blessing in the time of need. It allowed me to add to my dinner table. I thank you with all my heart."