Give Back to Your Community with Snacks for Students

Disclosure: I participated in this program on behalf of Champions for Kids and The Motherhood.  All opinions are my own.Organizations that cater to children have always hit close to my heart, but they hit a little closer now that I’m a mom.  Bottom line is, there are lots of kids that have less than mine do and with dwindling budgets due never ending cuts, organizations and schools are struggling to provide for children.  So when I was challenged by Champions for Kids to find a local, youth-based organization that could use a few extra snacks and wanted to participate in the Snacks for Students program, I gladly accepted.  After all, I’ve worked with Champions for Kids numerous times in the past, and love the work that they do in communities.

The Snacks for Students program – part of SIMPLE Giving, a Champions for Kids program designed to make it simple for shoppers to give to their communities while they shop for their everyday items – helps provide basic resources for students through in-store donations.  From February 18 through March 2, shoppers at over 3,600 participating Walmart stores will be able to donate through bins set up at the front of the store or directly to the school or organization.  Donated items consist of breakfast items, snacks, or supplies that kids can use.  Unlike so many other programs, these donations aren’t shipped off, but instead, they stay local and help kids at an organization or school near you.  And in addition to the local donations, Champions for Kids, General Mills, Kellogg’s, Emerald and Kettle Chips will provide 13 awards totaling $45,000 to the school districts and participating youth based organizations that collected the most items during the donation period.

With the help of a good friend, I found a local, non-profit school that wanted to be a part of the Snacks for Student program and helped get them registered.  I was actually surprised at how easy it was to register!  From there I gathered some blogging buddies and headed out to the Walmart on 163rd Street in North Miami Beach (that’s the Walmart store closest to me that’s participating in the Snacks for Students program).  Together the 3 of us filled a cart full of granola, oatmeal, applesauce, chips, and so, so many other items that the school frequently has on their wish list.  These items become pricey when purchasing for so many and often end up as a special treat instead of an everyday snack.

At the end of the day, I was able to buy a ton of stuff for only $100….and I did it all while doing my own shopping (because, let’s face it, it’s impossible to walk into Walmart and not buy something).  Best of all the stuff I purchased will stay local, to be used at the school that my friends’ daughter attends in the North Miami Beach area.    

So, have you seen the Champions for Kids Snacks for Students bins at the front of your local Walmart?  Have you had a chance to donate yet?  If not, be sure to check out this list of Walmart locations participating in the Snacks for Students program for a location near you.  Remember, even the smallest donation can go a long way!