NEWS
Schools scramble for PTA fundraising ideas in the new economy
As PTA parents and members get ready for the new school year many are scrambling for fundraiser ideas. “Fundraising is on our minds all year long.” Said Mary of the Ridgewood PTA. She continues, “ either we raise the funds or the kids do without.”
This sentimentality is expressed by parent teachers and coaches nationwide. But who is to blame? There is no bad guy in the situation. The facts are that Schools don’t have the funding. Budget cuts across the board and unfortunately, it is the art, music and sports programs usually are negatively affected.
What does this mean?
- Without proper funding, school playgrounds won’t be maintained and equipment won’t be upgraded a needed.
- New library books will not be purchased.
- Student computers may not be repaired and replaced.
Simply put without these funds there will be a lot of disappointed students.
So what’s a parent to do?
Joe Wolpin of fundraisingzone.com tells us, “Parents do whatever it takes to help their kids have the best school experience possible. In fact, We work with great parents from all walks of life that refuse to quit. Whether it’s School band or local softball team, it doesn’t really matter. These PTA moms and dads don’t want their kids to do without. So they Find ways to raise money in the community.”
So what is working right now?
There is no end to fundraising ideas for PTA organizations. From car washes to popcorn sales – and everything in between.
Barbara from the home school PTA in Bloomingburg NY shares this tip. “ You want to make sure your fundraising count. There are a limited number of people you can ask to make a donation. And there is a limit to how often they will donate. So choose your fundraiser wisely.”
This is only common sense. Veteran school fundraisers like Barbara know the importance of holding fundraising campaigns that are affordable and profitable. With higher inflation in this new economy people are tightening their belts. There is less money at the end of the month. This means they may not be able to donate as much money as they used to. This is something that PTA parents need to keep in mind.
Here is a checklist to help you make your decision on what fundraiser to run this year.
- Is it affordable for most of the families in our community?
- Is it fun so people want to participate?
- Is there a track record of success with this event? In other words has the school successfully done this already ready? Or has another school or team had success with this idea?
- Is it profitable? The higher the profit margin the less you have to sell.
Amanda from the Maple PTA club shares this valuable tip. “Don’t fall into the trap of getting bored with a proven fundraiser event. The PTA forums are Full of parents that are tired of doing the same fundraisers each year… Even though they were successful.”
There is a pop culture phrase for this. It is called “Shiny Object syndrome”. In other words they’re always looking for the next best thing that is new in exciting. Sadly many we’ve proven school fundraisers to try something new that is not as profitable.
The lesson? Stick with proven winners! It Will be interesting to see how the new economy affects schools and their fundraising efforts
Khalil ur Rehman is a proud born and raised in Abbottabad. Khalil has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade having contributed to several large publications including the Yahoo News and The Verge. As a journalist for The Hear Up, Khalil covers climate and science news. [email protected]
Consumers are provided with the knowledge that is necessary to know exactly what they are consuming by reading the labels attached to all packaged items. Labeling food is a legal requirement that food manufacturers must meet. Naturally, being aware of the components of the food you consume can assist you in making decisions that are better for your health.
In addition, you will find that comparing the nutrient profiles of various options is significantly simplified when you read the labels on the food you purchase. The nutritional value of various foods is typically tested at food nutrition testing facilities so that researchers may determine the nutritional worth of these items. Here are reasons why food labeling is important.
- It is a legal requirement
The labeling of food using prep-n-print direct thermal printer is considered to be a legal requirement for packing. If you are a food manufacturer, you must identify all food items by law. If you do not adhere to this, you could find yourself in some serious trouble. If the authorities discover that you are not complying with their regulations, they will first give you an improvement notice. This notice will explain what you are doing incorrectly, which regulations you are violating, the necessary steps you need to take to adhere to those regulations, and when you need to take those steps.
Even though you have been given an improvement notice, you are allowed to continue with your production; nonetheless, you must complete the measures outlined to bring your company into compliance within the allotted time. You will be committing a crime if you ignore the notification or continue to not comply even beyond the date provided, and this offense can lead to you being prosecuted.
The following information is required to be included on the labels of all pre-packaged foods in the United States:
• The name of the food product
• A list of all of the contents
• The percentage of particular ingredients
• Any directions for usage, such as cooking instructions, if applicable
• The “use by” or “best before” dates
• Instructions on how to properly store the product
• Contact information
• Origin of the product
- It helps you to practice good health.
One other compelling reason for labeling food is that it improves one’s understanding of the components that make up the food they eat. You will know the proportion of various nutrients, such as vitamins, fats, calories, minerals, etc. This information is, of course, essential since it enables you to increase the likelihood that you consume the foods that are beneficial to you. Labels make it simple to keep track of the number of various micronutrients you consume, which is especially helpful for preventing deficits in essential nutrients like vitamin D and iron. In addition, you can reduce the amount of sugar and salt you consume and ensure that you are eating a well-balanced diet. This can aid in preventing diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and specific forms of heart disease.
- Prevents you from purchasing foods that are not authentic.
The prevention of fraud is one of the primary goals of labeling requirements placed on food products. Without internationally recognized labels, food manufacturers and retailers might willfully mislead customers by putting misleading claims on product packaging and selling it to them. As a customer, you want to ensure that what you are getting is consistent with the advertised features of the product. When you buy chocolate, for instance, you want to ensure that what you are getting is genuinely chocolate. Food labeling using prep-n-print direct thermal printer comes into play at this point since it assures that the product is, in fact, the same as what is mentioned on the label.
- It aids in the prevention of allergic reactions.
Consumers who suffer from food allergies risk experiencing life-threatening symptoms if they consume foods to which they are allergic. Because of this, they need to exercise extreme caution regarding the food they are consuming. If a person mistakenly consumes a meal to which they are allergic, they will have an allergic reaction to the food, which in some instances can be so severe that it threatens their life.
Therefore, you should examine the product’s labeling and carefully read the list of components before using it. Have a look at what’s in it to determine if any of the components trigger an allergic reaction in you. If you are allergic to most substances in a food product, it is in your best interest to avoid eating that food.
Hamza Fazal is a reporter for The Hear UP. After graduating from the University of Abbottabad, Hamza got an internship at the NPR and worked as a reporter and producer. Hamza has also worked as a reporter for the Medium. Hamza covers health and science for The Hear UP.
Why Food Labeling Is Crucial
Find your adventurous side with the help of desert safari Dubai
