Healthy School Fundraisers

Being a health-conscious and eco-conscious parent is hard these days when schools are pressuring us along with friends and family to buy junk food, low quality products and a variety of paper products that are not just needed. Fundraising doesn't have to be this way.

The nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) have released a report showing that non-food and healthy-food fundraising options can raise as much or more than the traditional junk food fundraisers. Healthy Fundraising requires that parents and schools just do some thinking outside of the box to discover new ways of fundraising.

In trying to find other healthier options, I went in search of fundraisers that didn't involve unhealthy foods.

Take a look at some of the reasons for holding healthier fundraisers along with some great ideas for healthy-food fundraisers and non-food fundraisers. (If you want to jump to the list of fundraisers, follow this List of Healthier Fundraising Options.)

Image Source: Composite of Michal Zacharzewski's Just a Box and RAWKU5's Apple both Royalty Free Use with several Microsoft Images.

1. As a nutrition teacher

   I believe we need to be reinforcing classroom nutrition teaching by including more healthy choices in fundraising activities otherwise the students get a mixed message.

2. As a physician

   As an Internal Medicine Physician I have cared for patients with many chronic illnesses, like diabetes and and heart disease. The current obesity epidemic is magnifying the effect of these diseases on our population. Unfortunately, these diseases are being diagnoses in younger and younger people, even children.

3. As a parent

   I want my children to grow up and be healthy and happy and not be faced with a life-time of chronic disease. I am teaching them to make healthy eating choices and to be physically active each day.

4. As a member of the Wellness Committee

   Our school's Wellness Committee working with the California Guidelines for foods and beverages in schools has worked to develop policies for classroom parties that promote healthy eating. We have also implemented guidelines that there would be only one classroom party each month.

Healthy Fundraising requires that parents and schools do some thinking outside of the box to discover new ways of fundraising.

What do you think about school fundraisers?

Some of the healthier fundraising programs available to schools that have been recommended by the Center for Science in the Public Interest include:

1. Physical activity fundraisers.

   There are many different sports-related fundraisers that schools can host which get kids out and being active while raising funds. Easy ideas include a walk-a-thon, a run, shooting hoops or jumping rope.

2. Healthy food sales.

   Healthy food options that can be sold at school functions (in place of unhealthier choices) include selling fruit, 100% fruit roll-ups, bottled water, air-popped popcorn, granola bars and popchips.

3. Recycling fundraisers.

   There are a variety of different products that can be collected by schools and recycled for cash. Used cell phones, printer cartridges and clothing are three items that can be recycled for cash.

4. Scrip and grocery store fundraisers.

   Many grocery stores have programs that will disburse a percentage of shopper's purchases to any school that they designate. Scrip is one of these programs.

5. Book fairs.

   Schools can work with the publishing company Scholastic to host a book fair that also help to promote reading while raising funds.

Healthy fundraisers can be just as lucrative and popular as the more traditional chocolate sales.

Be creative and find what's right for your school.

HealthyAlberta.com

I am not the only parent thinking this way about School Fundraisers. Here is just a sample of quotes and thoughts from other parents on School Fundraisers.

There are a whole variety of different physical activity fundraisers that can be hosted.

Sports-related fundraisers help promote physical activity for students and can be lucrative fundraisers for schools.

• Walk-a-thons
• Runs - 5Ks, 10Ks,
• Fun Runs
• Dance-a-thon
• Bowl-a-thon
• Jump rope-a-thon
• Golf tournaments

Action for Healthy Kids recommends the following healthier foods as fundraising options.

1. Fresh Fruit
2. Fruit Baskets
3. Cheese Baskets
4. Popcorn & Nuts
5. Low-fat Cereal Bars
6. Trail Mixes
7. Gourmet Food Baskets

Isn't there are greener way for kids to help raise money for their school without trashing the planet?

Jenn, The Green Parent

Some of Green Fundraising Ideas include:

• 1. Selling Green Stuff
• Several examples of Green Products (Smencils and a variety of Reusable Shopping Bags are listed below).
• 2. Recycling Fundraisers
• Used cell phones, empty printer cartridges, cans, bags and re-usable clothing can all be collected by schools in exchange for cash.
• 3. Buying Green Online
• Different organizations are making it easy for schools and other non-profits to host fundraisers, by giving them the option of hosting Virtual or online fundraisers.
• 4. Adopt-a-Tree
• An Adopt-a-Tree fundraiser is a great way to raise funds, teach children about the role trees play in our everyday lives, and do something meaningful for the environment.
• 5. Community Cleanup
• Raise funds by choosing a public area in need of a good cleanup, and get members of the community to sponsor your group.
• 6. Green-a-thon
• Raise funds and exercise with a Green-a-thon such s a walk-a-thon or fun run. Pledgers can donate cash for every lap walked or run.

Here are just a few of the Green Fundraising Ideas that I found with products available through Amazon.

1. Smencils - Gourmet scented pencils made from recycled newspapers.
2. ChicoBag Reusable Shopping Bags
3. Baggu Reusable Shopping Bags
4. CYMA Reusable Grocery Tote Bags

I agree with Jean Saunders opinions about having children sell junk food for fundraisers. If we enlist the children to sell junk and junk food it gives them mixed messages about food and about the environment.

I believe we need to be reinforcing classroom nutrition teaching by including more healthy choices in fundraising activities otherwise the students get a mixed message.

With our choice of fundraisers, we can also teach the children about the importance of being active as a part of daily living. We can also teach them to be concerned about recycling, the environment and the world.

While bake sales may not the the main culprit in the obesity epidemic, finding fundraisers that encourage people to move more and eat less can definitely help to change our habits and lifestyle choices.

More Smencils in different scents available on Amazon.

More from EcoBags, European-styled String Bags, Reusable Produce Bags and Tote Bags

There are many different organizations and companies that are offering fundraisers to sell reusable shopping bags.

Different organizations are making it easy for schools and other non-profits to host fundraisers, by giving them the option of hosting Virtual or online fundraisers.

Here are links to just a few that I've found:

With Scrip members can use it to buy their favorite products and services, they generate all or a portion of the much needed funds for a school, cause, projects, or programs.

Hosting a Fair is the best way to support your school's reading efforts. Students, parents, and teachers love Book Fairs for a number of reasons, including:

• * A Book Fair connects kids to the books they want to read.
• * They feature a terrific assortment of books, hand-selected by book experts.
• * Book Fairs help build school, classroom, and home libraries.
• * They generate community involvement.
• * A Fair is one of the easiest ways to raise funds for the school.

Most of these resources are PDF files with a wide variety of information compiled by the organization.

Fundraising Outside of the Box - Composite of Michal Zacharzewski. Just a Box and RAWKU5's Apple both Royalty Free Use with several Microsoft Images.

Say "No" to Unhealthy Bake Sales - Modified Microsoft Image.

Healthier Fundraising Options - Composite Image by Kirsti A. Dyer.

This group benefits the Food for Everyone Foundation and the Squidoo Charity Fund.

The Mission of the Food For Everyone Foundation is to teach and assist families everywhere to grow successful and sustainable vegetable gardens, and really enjoy the experience.

What do you think about holding Healthier Fundraisers?