By Staff
Have you cleaned out your cupboards lately? You might discover something akin to loose change inside.
Area schools are encouraging residents to collect box tops from several General Mills products - everything from cereal to diapers.
Each box top is worth 10 cents for the school that turns it in. That might not seem like a lot, but if schools could collect, say 10 box tops per student per week, they could earn hundreds every week.
And that translates into money for all of the extras schools need each year.
In the past, schools have bought a P.A. system, music supplies and art supplies.
As schools look ahead to reduced budgets, that money becomes even more important. School officials and state lawmakers have already said they expect proration to go into effect in the next budget year.
That means schools will be faced with tough budget cuts, and the first things to go will be the “extras” - and even no-so-extras - that can make a huge difference in how our students learn.
But if schools can earn 10 cents per box top, that money can add up to extra dollars for every classroom.
All it takes is a little bit of effort on our part - and not even any extra money. Most of us are already buying many of the products that can be redeemed. Just go to boxtops4education.com to look up the list.
We encourage everyone to take the time to look at their pantries and send the box tops to schools. Parent organizations are working to get collection boxes at local grocery stores, so be on the lookout for that, too.
Together, we can all help our students.