Description:
Families collect food labels or cereal box tops and bring them to a collection site at school. They are sent to the manufacturer in return for cash or credit towards school supply purchase.

Duties:
Let school staff and families know about the collection container and where it is located.
Periodically check school container for labels or box tops.
Count the labels and arrange them by wrapping rubber bands around them or placing them in envelopes, by product type or in the manner the receiving company has requested.
According to the volume collected, regularly submit the collection by certified mail to the company.
Communicate to the school how much money was raised through their efforts.

Time needed:
One-half hour every week or couple of weeks.
2 to 4 hours when preparing for mailing.

Characteristics/skills needed:
Dependability--Can be counted on to complete tasks.
Organization--Can make a logical order out of many competing interests.

Helpful tools:
Rubber bands
Envelopes

Lifespan of committee:
Entire school year.

Personal benefits:
You can see firsthand the wonderful results that can happen when many people help to collect things that are usually thrown away.

Involving the kids:
Your own children can help with the sorting and the counting of the labels or box tops.