Slow economy forces school PTA's to change fundraising strategies

By: Isabel Mascareñas

Ruskin, Florida - Economic times are tough both at home and at school. Some schools are seeing a 20% drop in fundraising, forcing many PTA's to rethink their strategy, even cutting back on some money-making events.

Six months ago, business owner Joan Miller decided to help the local schools in Ruskin. Miller says if her business, Dove Interiors, has seen a 30% drop in sales, local schools were probably feeling the financial pinch too.

Miller put out a plea to the community in the local paper for box tops and labels from companies that give back to schools. She's received about 700.

Miller says, "Just don't throw them away. Too much good can be done with them."

PTA treasurer Pamela Ross knows all too well.

"It's amazing. Just small 10 cents each... but it adds up to thousands of dollars. Last year we took in more than $2,000 dollars worth. That's 20,000 box tops,” says Ross.

Ross is from Apollo Beach Elementary, one of three schools sharing the coupons Miller collected. Ross says the Box Tops for Education program by General Mills allows schools to collect up to $20,000 each year.

“It's amazing money in these economic times,” says Ross.

Ross says while participation is still high at her school, tough economic times means looking at new ways to raise money, such as lowering prices and making it up in volume.

The school added a monthly drive-in movie night, lowered the entry cost at its annual silent auction and it depends more on businesses donating food for events instead of the PTA using funds to buy it.

Apollo Beach Elementary sells space on their marquis for special announcements like birthdays and holidays. So far they've raised about $700.

Ross says the money helps the school supplement programs like PE and music.

The box tops Ross gets today will be added to the 4,690 tops and labels students have already collected.

Money that would have ended up in the landfill is now going into the classroom.

Dove Interiors, located at 2305 College Avenue (west of I-75 Exit 240), is a dropoff point for the labels and box tops. The business will distribute these among Apollo Beach Elementary, Ruskin Elementary and Wimauma Elementary.

Click here for more information on the Box Tops for Education and Labels for Education programs.