Unfortunately, these fundraisers are prohibited in Texas. Organizations can work with officials to provide coffee (or non alcoholic beverages) in efforts to cut down on traffic accidents. But they can't do any form of solicitation, not even have a jar that says "donations". Too bad, it would be a great fundraiser.
It is dishonest to post a sign "Free coffee" and then ask for a donation. Put "donation requested" on the "Free coffee" sign so it is all up front. And don't be so brazen as to ask people for a donation if they don't give one of their own free will.
In WA state if you contact the Department of Transportation (I looked online), you can sign up to 'offer' baked goods and beverages over a weekend period.
On our highway rest area signs they flip down when a local non-profit group is 'offering' coffe and the sign says "FREE COFFEE". You are not allowed to 'sell' the items but can 'offer' them and then place a donation bucket out for folks to make a donation to your group.
Some groups (if you get a good weekend) have mad upwards of $3,000. Thanksgiving weekend is supposed to be very good for this area but no one usually wants it because of the holiday.
We will check in at 6:00pm on Friday and work until 10:00pm. Saturday you open from 7:00 am - 10:00pm and again on Sunday. The late hours on Sunday are a little bit much but if we get anough volunteers we will be able to do it.
One of our parents has a motorhome so she will park it up at the rest area (we are approximately 45 minutes from our home) and we will stay there. We plan on making it a fun event for our volunteers with prizes for earliest, staying the latest, best baked goodie etc. As well as offer board game tourmanments and meals for them while they work.
At any rate, I just wanted to know if other had tried it.
Incidentally, I didn't know about it until I asked.
I have a rest ara fundraiser scheduled for the Fri,Sat,Sun after Thanksgiving.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Was it successful? What are some tips?
We have several 'rest area's in WA state and this has been a good program from what the Dept of Transportation tells me but I want to hear from groups who have used it.
