school fundraiser selling Nestle - what to do?

[because]

--cross-posted with activism--

DD's preschool (part of a K-8 private school) is having a fall fundraiser. They are selling items from a catalog called Kathryn Beich. There are kitchen items, wrapping paper, flower bulbs, calendars, magazine subscriptions... and Nestle confectionary products.

How does this work? Anyone know anything about Kathryn Beich? If I buy a calendar does Nestle get money? Is any money to KB in violation of the Nestle boycott?

I'm way too new to make any waves yet about the fundraiser choices so I can't try to get it changed. Maybe next year.

Thanks for info!

[Mama Rana]

i don't know about kb, but you could always just give a straight donation in the amount you would have been willing to spend. in fact in this way, the school gets it all!

[ralphie76]

:

I agree- I would just write a check directly to the school for the amount I would have spent on stuff, and I would enclose it with a note explaining why my family is not participating in the fundraiser by purchasing products.

This would be great for multiple reasons- the school gets all the $, it might raise awareness about Nestle (or at least the school would know where I stood) and I wouldn't have to buy any junky stuff!

[Kate522]

I second that! Just write a donation check and let it go. You don't need the junky stuff and the school is happier with the donation anyway.

[numom499]

it says on the website they are a division of nestle...so I would imagine that any purchase would be like supporting nestle

I alway just donate about 1/2 of the money I would spend on product...its still usually more than the group would get if they just got a % of the purchase.


I wonder if kathryn beich is listed on the nestle boycott pages...

[Gale Force]

When I was in the band in 7th grade we were going to sell Nestle products as a fundraiser. This was back in 1981.

I talked to the band teacher and told him about the boycott. At the time, he basically said that it sounded like a bunch of garbage (in a slightly more polite way). And then the fundraiser time came around and it was for a whole other product.

[Sarah]

You know... I was just reading a mainstream parent/child/baby/preggo mag in the waiting room at my Dr.s office... don't ask me which one- they all seem the same to me.... anyway- they had (shock!) a pretty good article about school fundraisers and how they work and who is behind the names of these promos. I think it was a current issue- maybe check the newsstand. Anyway- you might want to work on helping the school fine an alternative way to raise money. Nestle or not.

Love Sarah

[MamaFae]

Originally Posted by Sarah

You know... I was just reading a mainstream parent/child/baby/preggo mag in the waiting room at my Dr.s office... don't ask me which one- they all seem the same to me.... anyway- they had (shock!) a pretty good article about school fundraisers and how they work and who is behind the names of these promos. I think it was a current issue- maybe check the newsstand. Anyway- you might want to work on helping the school fine an alternative way to raise money. Nestle or not.

Love Sarah

It's "Child" magazine, I got a sub as a gift from a friend when I was preggo with Lily. Anyway the article was very very good imo. I think that when the time comes I will just organize a bake sale for my kids schools. It was all about how the big fundraisers are owned by people like the owner of Home Shopping Network and other major corporations and that the school usually getrs 50% or less of the money the donors spend, not to mention that it is turning our children into little sales people. I hate that. Oh and that the "prizes" are teaching kids that the only reason to do something is for what you can get for yourself, not because you want to support your school.

I would not personally allow my child to participate and just send in a donation directly to the school and ask those who would have normally bought from my child to do the same if they were so willing. Especially if it is Nestle products.
N~

[dziejen]

Our school is doing the same fundraiser and we too have decided not to participate. The main reason we are not buying is because we do not want to support Nestle products. Some other reasons we are not buying are that there is nothing we "need" and money is tight, as well as I don't really believe in the whole prize thing. If we were a little better financially right now I would send in a donation so the school keeps the entire amount rather than a percentage but I know there will be alot more fundraisers so we will participate in those further on in the year.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by MamaFae

It was all about how the big fundraisers are owned by people like the owner of Home Shopping Network and other major corporations and that the school usually getrs 50% or less of the money the donors spend, not to mention that it is turning our children into little sales people. I hate that. Oh and that the "prizes" are teaching kids that the only reason to do something is for what you can get for yourself, not because you want to support your school.

I would not personally allow my child to participate and just send in a donation directly to the school and ask those who would have normally bought from my child to do the same if they were so willing. Especially if it is Nestle products.
N~

...especially the part about turning our kids into little sales people and only fundraising to earn prizes for themselves.

And...
I'm in the same boat with pp who donate directly to the school rather than support fundrasing companies.

You are never too new to have your voice herd and educate people. There is probably an entire committee waiting to hear some fresh, new ideas.