MARE-Walmart Photo Coupon Program

The Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange is pleased to announce our new MARE-Walmart Photo Coupon Program. This program will allow your agency to have quality photographs taken of children in your care who need to be or are currently listed on the MARE website free of charge!

Workers must request a coupon for a specific child or sibling group in advance; MARE will not send coupons until a completed or updated Child Entry Form is received for that child or sibling group. Once it is determined that MARE has everything else, the worker will be sent a coupon(s). Each sitting requires one coupon; if there is a sibling group the worker will be sent coupons to allow each child to have an individual portrait, as well as one coupon for a sitting of the children as a group (i.e. a sibling group of 2 would entail 3 photos).

The photo coupon must be presented at time of sitting. The adult who accompanies the child/ren to the studio must complete a short form that identifies who the child is, and contact information about the adult. Walmart will notify that individual directly when the photos are ready for pick up. Because Walmart studios processes thousands of photos per week, verification that photos are actually that of child must be done before a package is released. Walmart does not mail photos, and all packages must be picked up at the location where the photos were taken.

The turn-around time from the portrait sitting at Walmart, to receiving the package back at the store is approximately 3 weeks. MARE requires that at least one 3-½" x 5" portrait of each child/sibling group be mailed to MARE upon the worker's receipt. Workers need to anticipated MARE timelines and plan accordingly. A case can still be counted as late, and sanctions can be applied if a complete case (photo and completed child registration form) is not received by its due date.

Each coupon (a $6.88 value) entitles holder to a standard package, which usually includes two 8 x 10 photos, three 5 x 7 photos, six 3-1/2 x 5 photos, and thirty wallet size pictures. The package may vary from time to time by adding one 10 x 13 for fewer wallet size photos. Most Walmart stores include a portrait studio, but please contact 1-800-599-4343 to identify the nearest location for you.

MARE is excited to offer you this opportunity and hope it will be well used by agencies. MARE will track the use of the coupons to monitor any potential misuse.

For more information about this service, or to request a coupon, please contact:

Kirsta Grapentine - 517-783-6273, ext. 234 or email kgrapentine@mare.org