“Do you want to purchase some wrapping paper?” “How about a tin of cookie dough?” “A school t-shirt?” I know I can’t be the only parent who wasn’t thrilled to see an endless parade of fundraisers coming home. As a parent and a former teacher, I know how important funding is for schools. I spent so much of my own money buying supplies for my classroom my husband once remarked, “Do you think we could spend some of this money on us?” My answer, “Sure, as soon as I purchase the crayons and paper my kids need.” That’s one of the reasons I have always loved the General Mills Box Tops for Education program. I can purchase items I use every day and still save money for the kids’ school.

Here’s how it works. Each box top, found on General Mills Participating products, is worth ten cents. Yes, this doesn’t sound like a lot, but once parents start participating in the program, this can add up quickly. Schools can use the Box Top Cash to purchase whatever they need. When my kids were in elementary school there was a desperate need for a new computer lab. Computers are the wave of the future and their school had none. Many of the parents pitched in to save box tops and at the end of the year, with some additional funding, we had a brand new lab for the kids!

This fall I found products with bonus box tops at Walmart. We have friends whose children attend a very underfunded school. They have never had the classroom advantages my children had and it makes me sad. I’m saving these box tops to donate and hopefully, the dream of new playground equipment will be able to come to life.

Want to learn more about the General Mills Box Tops for Schools Program at Walmart?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of General Mills®. The opinions and text are all mine.