Why should GIPS schools avoid food-related fund-raisers?

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 normal, healthy part of a balanced diet. However, cookies and candy have little, if any, nutritional value, and using them in fund-raisers contributes to poor eating habits. Schools should, instead, encourage truly healthy eating habits by avoiding things like candy sales, as well as other unhealthy food-related fund-raisers.

Fundraisers that support academics:

• Read-a-thon
• Science fair
• Spelling Bee
• Workshops or classes of interest

Fundraisers that support the arts:

• Art show
• Concerts
• Dances
• Play and musicals
• Talent show
• Singing telegrams
• Rent-a-band or rent-a-choir
•  

Fundraisers that support physical activity:

• Walk-a-thon
• Bike-a-thon
• Jump-rope-a-thon
• 10k run
• Fun run
• Golf, tennis, horseshoe, or other sport tournament
• Bowling or skate night
• Sports camps or clinics

Items you can sell:

• Candles
• Gift wrap, boxes, bags, Greeting Cards
• Magazine subscriptions
• Coupon books or cards
• Holiday wreaths / Mistletoe
• Gift certificates
• Cookbooks
• Balloons / Decorations
• T-shirts and sweatshirts
• Books / Calendars
• Buttons and pins
• Christmas ornaments
• Emergency kits for cars
• School spirit gear
• Plants, flowers, seed
• Coffee mugs and cups
• Scarves and stocking caps
• Spirit, seasonal, state, or US flags
• Megaphones / School Frisbees
• Decals / Bumper stickers
• License plate holders w/ school logo
• Valentine flowers
• Stadium pillows or seats

Activities you can DO:

• Bagging groceries at a local supermarket
• Garage sale
• Auction or silent auction
• Carnival
• Car wash
• Game night
• Craft show
• Haunted house
• Recycling drive
• Bingo night
• Karaoke night
• Chess, checkers, or other board game tournament
• Treasure hunt or scavenger hunt

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