We, too, thought this was a great idea until our local Clerk (the one who oversees elections) told us we coudn't do anything like that within a certain number the feet (don't remember exact distance) of the polls. Basically, it was the same limit that keeps candidates away from the polling place. They were afraid someone at the donut table would make an inappropriate remark regarding the election or a candidate. Ugh. We would have had to set up outside, along with the candidates, if we had wanted to have a donut sale. Weather in November in the midwest being unpredicatable, we scrapped the idea. Boo.
We also did a bake sale during the last presidential election. It was fantastic and we had such a postivie response from the community. We had the older students make signs that we posted around the front of the school - some we placed on "sticks" and put in the ground outside of the front doors. We asked each grade level to donate a specific item - like kinder was cookies, 1st grade was brownies and muffins, 2nd grade was cupcakes, 3rd grade was canned sodas and bottled waters...etc. The PTA donated the coffee and the cups/cream & sugar, etc. We had parents man the table and keep the coffee brewed and sodas iced down. As the voters were standing in line, they enjoyed shopping at the sale. They enjoyed knowing they were supporting our school (the proceeds specifically went to field trips in our case) and they liked the fact that the whole school got together to donate items to make the sale successful. We did not sell to students, but teachers and staff sure did enjoy coming by the table to get refreshments during their planning time and lunch.
It was an awesome idea and we will do it again this election.
We have actually held a bake sale each year on election day at our school. People look forward to it. Last election we made 1000.00 all profit because all was donated by school families.We also served coffee.
We are a Connecticut school system and if the "ban" you are referring to is about the thrust for school systems to offer healthy alternatives, I just wanted to clarify what we as a seperate 501c3 have learned from our BOE. The PTO, because it is a seperate organization, can continue bake sales, food fundraisers, etc. We have made an effort to incorporate healthy alternatives when possible, especially when the items will be consumed on school property (holiday events, etc.).
This may not be your reference (Healthy Food Standards), but I have heard many local PTOs are wrongfully of the impression that food items cannot be offered by the PTO unless it is fruit or vegetables or another healthy alternative and if researched, that most likely is not the case.
FYI - the state of Connecticut has very interesting rules on selling food at schools. We are in the middle of trying to learn all the rules. Be sure to check with your board of education to see if there are any new reasons that this might cause a problem - and it might just be getting a letter or approval from the board. Congrats on a successful fundraiser.
