If you are looking for an easy fundraising idea to raise money for your child's youth activity, this is one of the best methods I have ever used and it is incredibly simple. In addition to being easy, both the kids and the parents had a great time. It also provides great visibility for your group in your community and leaves people with a positive view towards your group.

By using this method we were able to raise just under $900 in just two four hour weekends to supplement our child's travel hockey team.

Ok, ready? No, it's not a car wash. Although these are popular they require quite a bit of work to get setup. You must find a good location with traffic; have access to water, buy plenty of supplies, dry towels, signs etc. Plus you are always subject to weather conditions.

What we did was simply find a grocery store that would allow us to sack groceries for their customers and offer help to carry groceries to their cars for them. We simply put large plastic jars on the cash register counter with our organization name on a sign on the jar asking for donations to support our fundraising cause. In our case we were raising money so our team could travel to Canada and play in a tournament. The kids wore their jerseys and sacked groceries on three or four of the grocery lines. We had two to three kids sacking per register.

There are several key points to consider to ensure this activity is a positive experience for all. The program can fall apart in a hurry if the store manager detects customers are becoming agitated or are not enjoying the experience.

First, children should understand the basics of grocery sacking (not too many heavy items in one bag, bread and eggs on top, etc.). Also at least one parent should be monitoring each line from a distance but be ready to lend additional assistance immediately if necessary.

Children assisting customers with groceries to their cars should be watched closely at all times. Watch the expressions of the elderly closely when they are in line. Some elderly people don't like kids sacking their groceries so you should be willing to step in and take over if necessary.

Agree up front with the manager how long you will stay and don't stay any longer. Don't use too many kids at one time or things could get too wild. We had 17 kids and did two 2 hour shifts which put about 3 kids on three registers.

Grocery lines ebb and flow and if the lines start getting long a parent should step in and help the kids sack. No one likes waiting is long lines, especially if they think the kids are slowing things down (i.e. you don't get donations from them).

The biggest obstacle you're likely to encounter is finding a grocery that will allow you to sack for them, but even that should take no more than 3 to 5 phone calls. We were able to get a major grocery chain to allow us two separate fundraisers at different locations in Dallas, Texas with minimal effort. Most savvy grocery store managers will see it as a way to positively promote their store in the local community.

So there you have it. If you are willing to spend $10 to $15 for some large plastic jars, some construction paper and some markers, and are willing to make a few phone calls, you can raise some quick and easy money for your organization and have a blast doing it. It's easy money and its fun for everyone.

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