Kroger Awards $80K to Schools
Sixteen principals accepted checks for $5,000 made out to their respective schools, thanks to the Kroger Reward Your School eBox Tops Back to School Sweepstakes. In all, $80,000 –- equivalent to 800,000 Box Tops –- was awarded to schools through the program, which the grocer introduced in partnership with General Mills.
More than 4,100 parents, teachers, students and community members across the country entered the sweepstakes at the beginning of the school year. The entrants nominated their favorite school, with hopes of winning 50,000 Box Tops, equivalent to $5,000.
“On behalf of the Kroger family of stores, we extend our congratulations to these 16 fantastic schools,” said Lynn Marmer, Kroger’s group VP of corporate affairs. “Often, the $5,000 prize has gone toward much-needed items that weren’t within the school’s budget. Throughout this year, we’ve seen firsthand the great work our schools are doing,and we are honored to partner with General Mills in support of our local schools.”
Money Earmarked for Music, Technology, PE
Three of the winning schools are in Michigan and three are in Ohio; the others are in Arizona, California, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, Tennessee and Virginia.
School principals and PTA leaders have allocated the funds to upgrade technology, purchase items from smart boards to saxophones, improve playgrounds and physical education equipment, and cover fees for student competitions among other items.
For example, Windermere Elementary, in Columbus, Ohio, will use its windfall to purchase a Ga-ga Pit, a large octagonal or hexagonal pit where kids can play a variant of dodgeball. “The parent who entered the contest is very active and requested that we use the money for something that would encourage the children to exercise through play,” explained Jennifer Golon, Windermere PTO president.
“Each Box Top is worth 10 cents, so they really add up for schools,” said Amy Reitz, the Windermere parent who entered the sweepstakes. “We save Box Tops all year long, and every time we grocery shop, the kids always look for Box Tops products!”
Kroger teamed up with Northfield, Ill.-based General Mills to make a positive difference for school communities through the Reward Your School eBox Tops Back to School Sweepstakes. Both companies place an emphasis on education and giving back to local schools through company-wide philanthropy initiatives.
Including the 16 winning schools, more than 90,000 K-8 schools across America participate in Box Tops for Education, one of the nation’s largest school fundraising programs. Nearly $25,000,000 is raised each year for local schools in Kroger markets through Box Tops for Education.
"Box Tops for Education" is one of the nation’s largest school fundraising loyalty programs and has been helping schools succeed since 1996, with more than 240 participating products.
Cincinnati-based Kroger operates 2,640 supermarkets and multidepartment stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's.