Creative & Fun Fundraising Alternatives to Selling Candy for Schools, Sports & Clubs School fundraising ideas should support healthy lifestyles. Students lifelong eating habits are greatly influenced by the types of foods and beverages available to them. When unhealthy foods are sold for a good cause, students may think that such foods are a healthy part of a balanced diet. Schools should use non-food fundraisers, healthy food fundraisers, and physical activity fundraisers. Fundraising supportive of student health becomes part of a school s consistent, positive message. It is a public demonstration of the school s commitment to promoting healthy behaviors among students, families, and the community at large. By contrast, selling less nutritious food items contradicts nutrition messages taught in the classroom. Many new school fundraising strategies are being developed with both school financial needs and concerns about student nutrition in mind. Schools are selling products other than candy. Schools can sell an expanding variety of non-food items also. Things You Can Sell School supplies (pencils, pens glitter pens, markers, notebooks) Candles Greeting Cards Gift wrap, boxes, and bags Magazine subscriptions Gift items Coupon Books Gift certificates Cookbooks Bath accessories Books & calendars Emergency kits for cars First aid kits Holiday ornaments First aid kits Pocket calendars Coffee cups, mugs Souvenir cups D-203 11/2009 1
Continued Things you can sell Hats, caps Head bands or wrist wraps Stationary Pocket calendars Stadium pillows Spirit, seasonal, state, or US flags Stuffed animals Student Planners Graduation day sale (flowers, stuffed animals) Key chains w/ school logo Key lanyards w/ logo Picnic Baskets Travel mugs Stationary Yearbook covers Tupperware Plants Balloon bouquets Foot warmers Jewelry Flowers & Bulbs Buttons & pins Temporary tattoos Scarves w/ logo Picnic baskets Valentine Day flowers Poinsettia plants Things that Support Academics Read-a-thon Spelling bee Book sale School planner/organizer Workshop or classes Math Olympics Fundraisers that Support Physical Activity Walk-a-thon 5 mile run/fun runs Bike-a-thon Jump rope-a-thon Sport camps or clinics Golf tournament Bowling night Tennis tournament 3 on 3 basketball tournament 2
Fundraisers that Support the Arts Art shows Concerts Dances Karaoke competition Plays and musicals Talent show Singing telegrams Rent-a-band, rent-a-choir, rent-amusic group Sport related items Water bottles Travel mugs Head bands or wrist wraps Ball caps/hats Football seats Sweat shirt/t-shirts Things that Promote the School Cookbook made by school (parents, teachers, kids) T-shirts/sweatshirt sales Bumper stickers & decals School logo air fresheners Calendars Megaphones Spirit towels/flags School spirit gear License plate frames w/ school logo Yearbook covers School Frisbees 3
Things You Can Do Gift wrapping Family/glamour portraits Car wash (pre-sale tickets as gifts) Become restaurant wait staff for 2 hours and get a predetermined percentage Chess, checkers or other tournament Magic Show Festivals No bake bake sale* - accepts monetary donations rather than baked goods Dances (kids, father/daughter, family) Garage sales Things that involve the Community Rent-a-teen helper Auction Workshop/class Craft show/sales Horseshoe pitching competition Recycling cans/bottles/paper Festivals/ Carnivals Treasure hunt/scavenger hunt Healthy Food Items to Sell Off Campus Fruit baskets Fresh fruits (by the box) Cheese & cracker baskets Dried Fruit & Nut Assortments Healthy gourmet food baskets 4
Healthy Food Items to Sell During School (and up to one half hour after school) Please Note: per the district Wellness Policy, the school food service program will approve/and or provide all foods and beverage sales to students in the elementary schools during school hours and ½ hour after school ends. If schools choose to sell food and beverage items during the school day, which includes ½ hour after school ends, the District Wellness Policy states that the appropriate Ed Code and senate bills will be followed. Grains*(Whole Grains Recommended) Low-fat baked corn tortilla chips Baked chips Cheese Its reduced fat Pretzels Air-popped popcorn Animal crackers Graham crackers Granola Chex mix, reduced fat Whole wheat Bagels Whole grain Muffins Nestle 100 calorie snack packs Fresh Produce Baby carrots, individually wrapped, cold Fresh whole fruit (not cut up) Cut up apples ( individually packaged) Beverages Bottled water (no added sweeteners) 100% fruit juices, cold Single serve, low-fat milk Other Ideas Astro Pops (local dairy) Fudge Pops (local dairy) Twin Pops (local dairy) Canned fruit (individually packaged) Corn Nuts or sunflower seeds Note: Any kind of nuts are not recommended because of allergy issues Dairy Products Yogurt (individually packaged, cold) Low-fat string cheese (individually packaged, cold) *Whole grains can play an important role in reducing the risk of chronic disease. Whole grains contain health-promoting substances including vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and fiber. Yet, with all of their benefits, 9 out of 10 Americans do not get the recommended 3 servings of whole grains every day. 5