SBCO collects labels and box tops for education

Emilie Siarkiewicz at work with the box tops and labels.

Emilie Siarkiewicz at work with the box tops and labels.

Nan Nasser

Emilie Siarkiewicz has reorganized this collection to benefit schools in our service area based on goals, wish lists and their own efforts to collect the labels and box tops.

Labels for Education has been in place for 41 years and has provided $114 million in merchandise to participating schools. This began with Campbell Soup Company and has expanded to Pepperidge Farm, Swanson, Bic, Post and Pace. These labels accumulate as points for art supplies, athletic equipment and academic supplies.

Box Tops was started in 1996 by General Mills and includes Green Giant, Hefty, Hanes, Progresso, Scott, Boise, Ziploc and Land O’ Lakes. Box tops coupons are worth $.10 each and the cash can be used for anything the kids need – playground equipment, field trips and books. A school can earn up to $20,000 with these little cardboard coupons.

Containers are at Suite L in the commercial center, in SaddleBrooke HOA 1 Library and the DesertView Library. Kids’ Closet will have a drop off canister also. Look for containers at the Golden Goose Thrift Shop and SaddleBrooke Ranch in the near future. The SBCO office is open Monday through Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Currently labels have been collected for 1st Avenue Elementary School in San Manuel to help them obtain sporting equipment. To date, the school has received 1345 labels! Box tops for a value of $76.80 will go to the J.F. Kennedy Elementary School north of Mammoth for the purchase of books.

You certainly must eat something with a label or box top on it! Clip it off, bring it to a canister and help a child obtain a new book or a fresh soccer ball. You can make a difference by simply having a can of Progresso soup! Please include the expiration date on the box top and include the bar code along with the logo on the labels. Without these two pieces of information the items cannot be redeemed.

You can make a difference!