[triscut]

I noticed that a lot of you are trading box tops for education. Can someone tell me the benefit of these? I have been saving them for DS's school- but is there another purpose?

I am just full of questions tonight!

[wishbone27]

I've been saving them too. As far as I know, each one has a value of .10 that goes to the school. Some people will collect them and send their kids to school with a lot because it makes them feel special to have that many extra. I just save them as I find them though (in recycling bins sometimes too when I am searching for coupon inserts).

[puglyduckling]

The school gets .10 per box top (watch expiration dates). The PTO at our school manages them (as well as fund raisers, etc.) and designates $$$ to certain things. For example, in 3rd grade the kids participate in a swim safety class and the PTO gives $$$ to each class to help offset the cost to the parents. The PTO also gives $$$ for classroom supplies.

There's no cost to you, other than your time to cut them out. I generally save them all year long and send them in with one of the kids once a year. This year we've saved about $40 worth so far.

The kids are all over me if heaven forbid I accidentally throw one away!!! Some classes have contests to see who can turn in the most.

You don't have to have kids in school either...just drop them off at your local school (they'll be more than happy to take them) or sometimes grocery stores will have a drop box.

[ral8r7]

Do these expire?

[GrannyGodley]

BTFE is a program that helps schools get funding they need for various projects. Each little BTFE coupon is worth .10. YES THEY DO EXPIRE. You school's coordinator receives these and processes them to send in to the company for redemption. They usually trim (nice if they are received trimed), THROW AWAY EXPIRED BOXTOPS AND THOSE THAT HAVE NO EXPIRATION DATE. Yes, sometimes the expiration date is torn and they have no value.

They are then bundled into groups of 50 each packaged and mailed to processing center.

Twice a year the school receives a check for the value of the boxtops sent in for redemption.

You can:

• Support any school by saving and donating the BTFE coupons
• You do not have to have a child in the school
• You can give your BTFE coupons to a coordinator here on AFC who will see that your BTFE are given to a good school.
• Private and public schools participate.
• You can make a difference in the education of children - even if you do not have children in the system.

GG (me) is a coordinator for our school. There are other coordinators here on AFC. Check out this thread for other coordinators.