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Important Update: Box Tops For Education recently stopped using physical coupons. However, you can still take part in the program by uploading digital product codes through their app. I hope you’ll continue to support your local schools through the Box Tops For Education program. Unfortunately, our nursing home residents can no longer collect and clip the physical box tops.
As I’ve mentioned before, we’re always on the lookout for experiences that allow our residents to help others. Residents are always receiving care, yet they rarely get a chance to be the givers. That’s why I encourage you to offer your residents the opportunity to take part in the Box Tops For Education program.
A few years ago, our nursing home collected Box Tops and donated them to a school in Oklahoma devastated by a tornado. While our project lasted for only a couple of weeks, this also works very well as a long-term project to support a school near your facility.
General Mills created the Box Tops For Education program in 1996. Over the years, they’ve donated over $868,000,000 to schools across the country. As a result, thousands of schools can purchase much-needed supplies and equipment. Computers, books, and playground equipment top the list.
Here’s how Box Tops For Education works:
You can find a school near you that participates in the Box Tops For Education program by checking the search bar on this site. Each school that participates has a volunteer who coordinates the program. Reach out to this person and they’ll be happy to answer any questions.
The Box Tops coupons are on the packaging of hundreds of General Mills products. They include Hefty, Kleenex, Green Giant, Cheerios, Yoplait, and many others. You can find the complete list here.
There are lots of ways to collect Box Tops. Ask the staff, volunteers, and residents’ family members to save them for you. Put a collection box at the front desk, along with a sign explaining the program. In addition, you can ask people to share your project on social media. I’m sure the dietary department will also be happy to save Box Tops from products that are used at your facility.
People can simply tear or cut the Box Tops off of the packaging. Your residents’ role will be to trim the Box Tops and bundle them into groups of 50. Then pass them along to the school’s volunteer coordinator. Checking the dates is important, too, since expired Box Tops can’t be accepted.
Each Box Top is worth 10 cents to a school. This might not sound like a lot, but when combined with Box Tops collected by numerous other people, it adds up to a significant amount of money. Furthermore, when you think about it, each one you throw away is like tossing 10 cents into the garbage!
Twice a year, General Mills sends a check to the school for the amount of money they’ve collected. The school can use the money for whatever they wish.
One enormous benefit of this program is the fact that it can open the door to a relationship between your facility and a nearby school. In addition, your Box Tops project may very well spark other ideas for connecting the kids with your residents. Perhaps some students can come and visit your nursing home. Even better, maybe some of your residents can take a trip to the school to see the items purchased with the Box Tops you donate.
Has your child’s school benefited from the Box Tops For Education program? Let us know in the comment section.
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