There was a time, when my children were in grade school, when we ate a lot of General Mills products and Campbell's Soup. Not because we thoroughly enjoyed their product lines, but because my children's school, a private, newly founded school, was trying to raise as much money as possible in what ever way it could. Meanwhile, I was trying to raise my children to be healthy as possible, investing in organic food and actively reading every ingredients label on every box.
Well one day, that changed quickly. Apparently the teachers told the kids that Box Tops could help the school. They said, go home and tell mommy and daddy all about Box Tops and Campbell's Soup. Children went home, flyers in hand, with excitement in their eyes. My kids were now recruited to become part of the fundraising military complex. Every trip to the supermarket became a "does it have a Box Top?" or "can we get more Campbell's Soup" adventure.
How did my 5 year old suddenly begin dictating what went in the shopping cart, and what stayed out? I was amazed at her determination and her military like position. She just wanted to win the "which class raised more money" contest. Was it worth having an organic vs. non-organic battle with a kindergartner in the supermarket?
I did my best to be supportive and luckily found Betty Crocker was on the list of Box Top for Education supporters, which provided me with a welcome excuse to bake my favorite non-organic brownies. And thankfully, a 5 year old's mind is easily distracted. But, for 6 months or so, we were a Box Top and Campbell's Soup buying family. Now that's successful cause marketing.
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