A "Bakeless Bake Sale" for Fundraising

[Pooh93]

Like most of you, I am not a big fan of fundraisers, but if I have to do them I like to make the most $$$$ for the least amount of time/effort and I HATE to peddle anything. i.e. magazines, candy bars, wrapping paper.

Anyways, I've come across a Bakeless Bake sale fundraiser where people donate the cost of the ingredients without baking anything.

Has anyone ever done one of these or heard of the concept?

TIA

 

[Maleficent13]

There was an episode of "Home improvement" where Jill was having a "No Dinner Dinner" for a library fundraiser (same concept as yours)...it didn't go well.

That's about as close as I come to having heard of it.

 

[agnes!]

I think it sounds like a great idea! I have also heard of some charities that have fundraising "Balls" or dinners with fancy invitations but no actual event. Sounds heavenly to me...reminds me to give, but then I also don't have to actually "do" anything, just donate to the specified charity if I wish.

agnes!

 

[robinb]

Bake sales annoy me. I end up spending more in ingredients than the baked goods sell for. *sigh* We have a home swim meet this weekend and I have to think of something to bring for the concessions ...

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I've heard of it--I've seen it on fundraiser boards as a suggestion and those who suggested it--it worked well for them.

It doesn't work well if your donors expect you to "earn" the money--it works well for donors who are tired of the same old and get humored by creative fundraising.

Give it a shot and see how it goes!

 

[Pooh93]

Bake sales annoy me. I end up spending more in ingredients than the baked goods sell for. *sigh* We have a home swim meet this weekend and I have to think of something to bring for the concessions ...

So does that mean if you could just write a check for what you'd have spent to bake it, you would and forget the baking?

 

[agnes!]

Bake sales seem to be an accepted way to earn money, but I personally think that there is a *lot* of wasted effort that goes into them. I mean, you have the money spent for the ingredients plus the time spent going to the store to buy the ingredients and then the prep/baking/boxing up and *then* delivering the finished product *AND* finally staffing the bake sale.
*If* the organization needs money(and what school band/choir/sports team/etc doesn't?), then I think writing a check for the cost of the ingredients combined with whatever I think my time is worth is certainly acceptable, if not downright smart.

agnes!

 

[alli'smom]

My DH is an Asst Scoutmaster of a Boy Scout Troop. They do
a cakeless bake sale every year and do very well at it. They
distribute flyers to the towns people one week and then go around
and collect any contributions the next week. Or they can be mailed
in. People seem to be willing to help if they can just write a check
and be done with it!

 

[robinb]

So does that mean if you could just write a check for what you'd have spent to bake it, you would and forget the baking?

I've thought of that. Just showing up to the bake sale and giving them $5. How many times have you spent $$ and time on brownies only to have them priced at 25 cents each? Or worse, have your stuff left over because everyone made brownies? I just hate it.

I think I'm going to boil eggs for the swim meet. Lots of people like protien for breakfast and our meets start at 8:00 with warm-ups at 6:30.

 

[Pooh93]

Thank you Diser's for your input!! I think I'll submit the idea! However, that probably means I'll be in charge of it!! LOL I think it's worth a try and something different. I'll let you know if it happens and how it turns out!!

 

[disneymom3]

Bake sales seem to be an accepted way to earn money, but I personally think that there is a *lot* of wasted effort that goes into them. I mean, you have the money spent for the ingredients plus the time spent going to the store to buy the ingredients and then the prep/baking/boxing up and *then* delivering the finished product *AND* finally staffing the bake sale.
*If* the organization needs money(and what school band/choir/sports team/etc doesn't?), then I think writing a check for the cost of the ingredients combined with whatever I think my time is worth is certainly acceptable, if not downright smart.

agnes!

For our bake sale with our co-op, there is no way we spent anywhere near the amount we raised. We had 6 families bring items, we put a bucket on the table for money with a suggested donation written on each item's sticker. We raised $250 that day. If I had donated the money for flour, sugar, eggs and the little bit of other ingredients needed to make muffins or peanut butter cookies, it only would have been a couple of bucks.

I understand where you all are coming from though. Personally I would never buy food that somebody else made in their kitchen unless I knew them all well. I just don't think it can come out equally $ wise.

 

[Chicago526]

I've thought of that. Just showing up to the bake sale and giving them $5. How many times have you spent $$ and time on brownies only to have them priced at 25 cents each? Or worse, have your stuff left over because everyone made brownies? I just hate it.

I would think a bake sale would be more organized than that. Shouldn't the person/people in charge make sure there isn't any over lap in deserts made and to make sure the items are priced high enough to be worth while? Everyone knows bake sales are for fund raising and shouldn't balk at paying 75 cents or $1 for a brownie!

 

[Nancyg56]

I would think a bake sale would be more organized than that. Shouldn't the person/people in charge make sure there isn't any over lap in deserts made and to make sure the items are priced high enough to be worth while? Everyone knows bake sales are for fund raising and shouldn't balk at paying 75 cents or $1 for a brownie!

Bake sales may start out organized, but someone always bakes somrthing different thatn was signed up for, or the signup sheet is ignored, or it goes on and on. Volunteers don't always follow the "rules".

I would much rather donate some money than bake for a sale, and I would not mind donating the cost of a Nonbaked item instead of purchasing a baked good.

 

[PaulaSue]

I heard of them but I'm not a fan.

 

[Karel]

My organization does a Stay at Home tea where the members mail out tea bags and letters asking for a contribution.

Also, one of our clubs did Lemonade Stand - they had a clever name for it, which I can't think of - and mailed lemonade packs to people asking for contributions.