So sorry to hear about all this with Sally Forster. It's sad when company's who suposedly look out for schools and help with fundraising, have to change things up and make it hard on the kids to do and no one wants to buy their junk and can't use those cards. I have friends in other states who used this company last year and they said never again will they do this to their family's. shame shame!
We used Sally Foster last year and was very happy with the product AND the customer service...Then they totally changed. I had a feeling this whole gift card thing wouldn't work. We went back to Innisbrook this year. Didn't hit our goal, but came close. I really shouldn't be the chair, since I don't really like pushing kids to sell. I do think the wrapping paper is a good product.
Boy do I hear you about how hard it is to find construction jobs. It seems to me in the really tough job climate that you live in I would definitely limit my big fundraisers and return to the good old fall backs. The rummage sale being the best - the old adage of one person's junk being another person's treasure I think really rings true in this day and age. We are having one of those for my sons soccer team coming up pre-holiday. The other thing that is tried and true is the good old fashion bake sale. People love to bake goodies and kids (and adults) love to eat them. You could have a monthly bake sale where each grade sponsors it, you know 1st one month 2nd grade the next etc. etc. - our elementary school made about $200 to $300 a month with those. I don't know if you will find this helpful or not but I hope you do. Good luck with your efforts.
Elementary (K-6) about 600 students - 80% of us are on reduced or free meals. Our area is alor of construction work and jobs the area has been hit hard with unemployment -according to our local newspaper. It gets worse in the winter w/ bad weather and lay offs.
I need to get really clever w/ a good fundraiser and I'm drawing a blank except hogies. I think don't think this will go over. Every hear an;ything re flower bulbs? Ideas? Anyone????
I am very proud of our school and especially those PTO members who actually show up to help. To see more programs come to our school for many reasons would be positive in every aspect.
My first question to you would be what level of school are we talking about
Elementary? Middle? Highschool? The types of fundraisers you choose and the level of
parent involvement you get differs greatly from one level to the next. If you could please specify then I think those of us on this thread about Sally Foster might be able to give you more appropriate suggestions. We all want to be positive but i do think warning people off of a fundraiser that takes a lot of time and effort with very disappointing results it a positive thing - we all want what will give our schools the greatest return without ripping off families & schools and unfortunately this SF gift card program does just that.
We are in a low income area- what's why I was kinds wanting details-no we have a hard (very) hard time getting anyone to help-even chairpersons! it gets hard sometimes but i keep going. We try to do our best and we do run the PTO like a business.
I run box tops and it is very VERY successful so far because I have made it fun w/ hand outs and cert. for the kids at the end of the year. We have made more $ this year w/ my small changes than in the last few years.
I understand you are not trying to be negative, but wording is everything.
In a low income area there is not always alot of options open and our fundraiser chairperson doesn't return or even acknowledge my calls and concerns. I addressed the Pres. on this and the reponse was that she runs a dance studio and does fundraising all the time so she knows the in's and out's. My opinion is if parent's can afford dance lessons than they can afford $20. candles wheras the other 80% of our parents can not. I have suggested hogies, and student spirit store. We are doing candy for Xhristmas and Easter and pizza later. Do you or anyone have suggestions? If We can't get everyone on board our students are barely going to have field trips paid for w/o our PTO goingf broke.
Looking for help for low income area fundraising ideas and how to get the Fund. Chair person not to be intimadated by my suggestions- I am even trying to get brochures and contact info for her and NO ONE is interested- am I beating a dead horse?
