How does your child’s school raise money? At my daughter’s school, popular fundraisers are candy sales and cookie dough sales. Basically, it’s sugar, sugar and more sugar. If you want to look like a “good parent” you buy a lot of whatever they’re selling. I’ve done it too — bought king-size packages of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Kit Kats so that my daughter looks good.
Bake sales are a hot topic right now in New York City schools, which have had their bake sales banned by the Dept of Education. The DOE gives thumbs down to anything homemade but ALLOWS PACKAGED CHIPS AND POP TARTS. Are they completely insane? The L.A. Times had a great article about angry parents who are protesting this ridiculous ban: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/21/nation/la-na-hometown-new-york21-2010mar21
How do we make a change? For one, get involved in the PTA at your child’s school, if you haven’t already. Fundraising is a major part of the PTA, and they are always happy to have parents who want to get involved. At my school’s fundraiser meeting, I’m going to suggest that we don’t sell anything we don’t want our children to eat. I mean, how can we expect our kids to eat healthy and incorporate the Energy Up! message into their daily lives, when we keep asking them to sell diabetes in a package? Some schools offer parents a donation option, in lieu of having their children sell products, and I think that’s a great idea too.
I found this great resource for those of us wanting to help find the healthier solutions for these school / community fundraisers - Click Here to download this incredible resource for yourself!
Non-candy non-bake sale ideas include: Car washes, Box Tops, and Consignment Sales. If anyone has some innovative ideas or experiences to share, please comment here so we can all learn more!
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