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Thursday, August 4. 2011

Help Us Donate Lunch Gear to Those in Need

Last year, as many of us in the office were signing our kids up for their first year of school, we noticed that our school supply lists included optional donations of items like back packs, lunch bags and water bottles for children in need.

It really got us talking - with so many affordable waste-free lunch items in our store, why not pick up an extra lunch bag or set of utensils for our kids' classmates? So we did! And we're doing the same this year.

We encourage our customers to also consider purchasing an extra lunch bag, reusable water bottle or other back-to-school essential for a child in need. Additionally, for the second year in a row, we're donating $500 worth of lunch gear to a school chosen by you!

To nominate a school, leave a comment on this blog post, or visit our Facebook page and tell us about a school that could benefit from a $500 lunch gear donation. (Be sure that we can contact you via email from your comment or Facebook post in case your nominated school wins!)

We'll consider your suggestions and choose a winning school or class at the end of August.

Giving back is part of what we do - to date, we've donated over $200,000 to like-minded non-profits. Click here to read about our donation to last year's winner. 

Looking for more information on waste-free lunches and how to help your school go green? Check out these resources:


  1. Eco-Schools USA (Program bringing environmental awareness to schools)
  2. 5 Steps to a Waste-Free Lunch
  3. Top 10 Picks for Back to School
  4. Disposable Lunch Item Facts
  5. How to Raise Money for Your School



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These are wonderful! Thank you for sharing! Regard: chanel tote
#1 Chanel handbags onsale (Homepage) on 08/04/2011 (Reply)
While it's wonderful that you giveback I'm not sure how much this type of a donation really helps a school. Most kids who truly can not afford the products receive free school lunches and unfortunately those parents aren't going to start packing a lunch just becuase they got some free gear :-( Maybe just a monetary donation to the school so they can buy essentials would be a better use of funds. I know my son's school has a high ratio of free/reduced lunch kids and reusable items aren't on the top of their wish list.
#2 Tanya on 08/05/2011 (Reply)
I was just getting ready to type the exact same thing. The parents that NEED help are on Free or reduced lunch and wouldn't pack one(and pay for lunch)just because they received a recycleable lunch kit. I think you sould do a nomination for Families that would/could use such items instead of the school.
#2.1 Judy Raney on 08/05/2011 (Reply)
Tanya- I understand your point, but this isn't the case for all schools. Take a look at the winning school from last year's giveaway; http://www.reuseit.com/about-us/giving_back/waste-free-lunch-donation
#2.2 Natalie (Homepage) on 08/10/2011 (Reply)
The Lea School in West Philadelphia is an up and coming public school with a great principal and ever-rising levels of parental involvement. There are many initiatives in Philadelphia that aim to expand access to fresh produce and local food to ALL members of our communities. These initiatives include farmers markets that accept EBT cards, programs that put fresh fruit in corner stores, and a recently expanded food co-op. I think a donation of waste-free lunch materials to Lea would be a great way to reward kids for hard work, and to encourage them to bring healthy snacks or to drink water from a reusable bottle, even if they are receiving free or reduced lunch at school. Thanks!
#3 Julia D. (Homepage) on 08/05/2011 (Reply)
I second Julia's nomination of Lea Elementary in West Philly as a public school where this kind of donation could make a real difference in promoting healthy and sustainable eating.
#4 Amy D. on 08/05/2011 (Reply)
I would also like to chime in for Henry C. Lea school at 47th and Locust in West Philadelphia! What a great compliment this would be to the environmental education and nutrition programs in place at this school!
#4.1 Beth on 08/05/2011 (Reply)
Yorktown Elementary School in Yorktown, VA could really benefit from such a donation. The reusable bags could be used for those children who receive free lunches when they go on field trips and also for those who buy the bagged lunches. The savings alone from such a donation on the school's cafeteria budget as well as the environmental impact is a winning combination if you ask me!
#5 Britta Blanchard (Homepage) on 08/05/2011 (Reply)
Yorktown Elementary School in Yorktown, VA could really benefit from such a donation. The reusable bags could be used for those children who receive free lunches when they go on field trips and also for those who buy the bagged lunches. The savings alone from such a donation on the school's cafeteria budget as well as the environmental impact is a winning combination if you ask me!
#6 Britta Blanchard (Homepage) on 08/05/2011 (Reply)
Arrowhead Primary School in Copley, OH would be a terrific school to reward with reusable lunch items. They have won the "Green School Award" from the NEOEA (I believe the first one awarded.) Each classroom has its own vegetable garden, and produce could be sent home in reusable wraps. This would likely introduce many families to reusable packaging and encourage them to make more use of it.
#7 Tara Talsma on 08/05/2011 (Reply)
St. Leonards in Berwyn, IL It's a small school so the donation would make a HUGE impact. The school has a waste reduction initiative that's starting to gain traction but we need to build awareness and show families what kind of fun resources are available. This is the kind of school where the donation would help entire families reduce waste.
#8 Aimee on 08/06/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate my school where I teach, Naco Elementary School, Naco, Arizona. My students last year really embraced reducing, reusing and recycling and took an interest in zero waste. Although many students receive free and reduced cost lunches, home brought lunches, could be healthier with reusable containers. The fun colors and styles of reusable containers filled with vegetables, fruits and other healthful yummy bites would gain popularity over junk food packaged in throwable wrappers.
#9 Rhea on 08/06/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate West Jackson Intermediate (3rd-5th) and West Jackson Primary School (Pre-K-2nd)in Braselton, Georgia. Many students bring lunch at these schools, but there is a lot of waste involved, including sandwich bags, plastic wrap, chip bags, and drinks.
#10 Joy on 08/06/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate Chesnut Charter Elementary School in Dunwoody, GA. This is a very racially, economically and ethnically diverse elementary school. This year we are starting a Farm to School program at this school that will help children learn about where food comes from and how to live sustainably. As part of this effort we are planning an after-school Ecology Club, where kids will do environmentally themed projects. As part of the Ecology Club we want to reward kids for doing projects (such as researching/writing an essay about ecological topics, helping with the on-site composting, pledging to not use plastic baggies in their lunches/snacks, etc) with points rather than the typical rewards given at schools such as candy or cheap plastic toys. Each point will earn the child a raffle ticket for a raffle of environmentally-friendly products to be held at the end of each semester. We love the idea of using these reusable lunch items for in this effort! Thanks for considering our school.
#11 Elizabeth on 08/06/2011 (Reply)
I'd like to nominate a new charter school opening this year in Baltimore MD. Roots & Branches: Harriet Tubman School Building 1807 Harlem Ave. Baltimore MD 21217. From their website: Roots and Branches, a charter school in development, is looking for Baltimore City residents interested in building educational opportunities for children in the city. Our mission is to create a Reggio Emilia-inspired educational community for Baltimore City students with a holistic focus on the individual child. With an inquiry-driven, arts-integrated curriculum – where teachers are co-learners with students – we aim to create lifelong learners and community-minded citizens who embrace diversity. The school is going to be a green school and they're looking into having a garden. I've been volunteering at the school along with many others to get the school ready for opening day. This would be a great opportunity for the school and community. Thank you!
#12 LaTasha on 08/06/2011 (Reply)
I nominate the Crow Creek Tribal Elementary school in Ft. Thompson, SD. These children grow up in extreme poverty and violence on the reservation and could use the help and reusable nature of the products.
#13 Debi Dusseault on 08/06/2011 (Reply)
Mountain View School, Mountain View School District Ontario CA. My sister is a teacher there and the majority of their kids are low income.
#14 Christie on 08/08/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate the FAWE school in Africa. These kids are in dire need of school supplies which are essential for a meaningful educational experience. Education is the key to rising up out of poverty and $500 in school supplies would make such an impact on so many lives. You can read more about these kids at http://www.developafrica.org/collect_school_supplies
#15 Robin on 08/08/2011 (Reply)
I'd like to nominate South Western Career Academy in Grove City, Ohio. Having these types of items will help raise awareness about reusable items and how the students can reduce their trash creation. This school is a vocational school for grades 11-12, which means that the students will soon be adult consumers in our community.
#16 Carrie Hays on 08/09/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate Marshall-Starke Development Center in Plymouth, Indiana for the lunch items. It is not a public school, but a day service center for individuals with disabilities where they learn valuable living and social skills enabling individuals to become more independent. They also give back to society by volunteering in the community. These individuals range from ages 13+. The individuals bring their lunches daily and many would benefit greatly from new lunch bags and water bottles. These very special people are so sincere and have caring, open hearts. Unfortunately in recent years, our state has drastically cut funding for programs such as this. In fact, more severe cuts affecting the very livelihood of individuals with disabilities have been made than public school systems in our region. Please consider Marshall-Starke Development Center.
#17 Stacey Thomas on 08/10/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate Wellspring Waldorf School in Tunbridge, VT. We are a developing Waldorf School established in 1988 and are unique in that all families are welcome, regardless of ability to pay full tuition. We have a pledge system whereby families pay what they can and barter volunteer time in exchange for the remaining tuition. Parent and family involvement and a diverse student body is what makes our school community so strong. We do not have a lunch program so every child packs a lunch everyday. Our new campus (a building being renovated with nearly 100% volunteer labor) will have space for gardens, which will be an integral part of our curriculum.
#18 Laura Craft (Homepage) on 08/12/2011 (Reply)
Matthews Elementary in Matthews, NC.
#19 liz on 08/12/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate the "allegry kids" (which are many) at Decatur Classical School in Chicago. These are children who can not eat the foods served for breakfast and lunch at Decatur Classical due to food allergies. Decatur also does not have a lunch room, but a warming room so food carts are rolled out into the hallway and meals are served from there while the children eat at their desk in the classroom. Breakfast being serve is now mandatory at Chicago Public Schools so my child (who is an allergy kid) must bring a breakfast and lunch from home to eat at school. Despite the fact I feed him breakfast at home. Giving the children who have allergies reusable supplies for their lunch and breakfast would be an amazing thing and much appreciated thing! All kids at Decatur could use something like this though with not having a lunch room a large percentage do bring their lunch from home. I suggest the "allergy kids" because I am sure $500 worth of supplies do not go very far. Thank you for your consideration.
#20 Jacquelyn on 08/28/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate Carmel Presbyterian Weekday School - this school is for ages 2- 4, starting the little ones off with reusable lunchboxes would set the tone for the rest of their school years.
#21 Jennifer Branham on 08/28/2011 (Reply)
Staunton Montessori School
#22 Brandi on 08/28/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate my sons school Concord Academy Boyne, in Boyne City, Michigan. This is a tuition free charter school that doesn't receive a lot of state funding, so it doesn't have a hot-lunch program. Therefore every child has to bring a packed lunch from home. Unfortunately some of these children's family cannot afford proper lunch bags and paper and plastic bags are often used and thrown away at the end of lunch. I would like to see every child in the school carrying a reusable lunch bag to cut down on waste!
#23 Melissa Hammell on 08/29/2011 (Reply)
I am nominating Bingham Arts Academy in Alpena Mi. I volunteer at this school for many activities and lunch time is one of those.This school helps so many families throughout the year by having a food drive all year long, a coat drive and yes a pj donation not many people think about their kid needing warm pj's but here in Michigan its a need.So with all the "GOOD" used donated items for these kids it would be nice to see them start the school year with something brand new.
#24 Donna Loomis on 08/29/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate Mauston Public Schools in Mauston, Wisconsin. The school district has a student population of which around 50% are on the federal free/reduced lunch. We are a rural district in one of the poorest counties in the entire state. The economy is seasonal at best (summer, when tourists come to spend time on the lakes in our area). With the enormous cuts to public education in the state of Wisconsin, rural districts like ours will be hurt even more. My husband is a high school social studies teacher in the district. With cuts to his and his co-workers' salaries, they have less income to help make up the difference in their classrooms and schools. I am nominating the entire district (1 high school, 1 middle school, and 3 elementary schools) because the need is great at all levels. Often in these kinds of giveaways and clothing drives, people often forget the older students who are just as much in need. And while the kids in this district are definitely "in need" themselves, they still find a way to give to others. At the high school, the Key Club (youth version of Kiwanis), their food drive is one of the best in the state (they've out-collected larger urban/suburban schools that have more money). Please, don't forget the kids in rural American!
#25 Theresa Ferries on 08/29/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate Hamilton Elementary School in Chicago, IL. Much of our school lunch waste was in the form of juice boxes, ziploc bags, and single serving bags last year. We could reduce our waste by even more this year by getting these bags.
#26 Christy on 08/29/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate Hamilton Elementary in Chicago, IL. Much of the staff has been working very hard over the last couple of years to create a greener school and to educate the students on how to do the same. One of our current goals is to get families access to reusable bags so that we can cut down on our lunch waste. This donation could help us reach our goal.
#27 Heather on 08/30/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate Hamilton Elementary in Chicago, IL. Last year we did an audit to see where we could cut down waste. We are making great strides. As a city school, there are families that cannot afford or don't think about zero-waste options. It would be great to GIVE them the materials they need to be zero-waste.
#28 Sue on 08/30/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate Madison Country Day School (MCDS) in Waunakee, Wisconsin. The majority of the students at MCDS bring lunches from home, let alone daily snack times, and having reusable, waste-free lunch and snack containers would be quite noticeable in what gets tossed daily.
#29 Stephanie on 08/30/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate Hamilton Elementary school in Chicago, IL. I am the coordinator of many of the green initiatives this growing school has taken on over the last two years, and I am impressed daily by the enthusiasm and passion the students, staff, and families I work with have for the work we do and the planet we share. In addition to improving recycling efforts and energy efficiency in the school, this last year we committed to auditing the waste that leaves our school in one day. This waste audit was a joint effort between school staff, students, a community organization and Hamilton school families. We worked together to collect, sort, weigh, and document what our school waste is and where it is going. We then made a plan to reduce the waste that is leaving the school. One of the key areas we are working on is waste reduction during lunch time. We currently compost all of our lunch waste and recycle milk cartons and other food containers, but still much waste through juice boxes, napkins, disposable utensils, one time use packaging, and ziploc bags is leaving our lunchroom and heading to the landfill. Zero waste lunches seem to be the next logical step for us. Last spring we ordered supplies to create zero-waste lunch kits for families to purchase. The kits included a stainless steel water bottle with our school logo, a reusable sandwich bag, and a reusable snack bag. We sold these kits at cost, so that all families could have access. We sold out within a week. That being said, some families were still unable to justify the purchase in this tight economy. It would be great to win these supplies to give to our families who want to make a difference but are currently finding it cost prohibitive. I am proud of what this public school community has accomplished over the last few years. We live in a hundred year old building in the middle of Chicago, with a student population that is diverse in all aspects of the word, but we are making a difference. We are educating students and families on how to be stewards of the earth and advocates for it, regardless of ones race, income, gender, or ability. We are promoting sustainable living through our actions. Our school's belief is: Save the planet. Start at school.- we are living up to that and winning these supplies would help us continue our efforts.
#30 Nichole (Homepage) on 08/30/2011 (Reply)
Hamilton Elementary School in Chicago, IL would be an excellent candidate to receive this lunch gear donation! We have great momentum started in becoming a zero waste school. This donation would greatly help us to get eco-friendly lunch materials to our families who cannot afford it. It is awesome to see the students, staff, and parents working together to become a greener school. Please help us provide the materials to keep the momentum going! Thank you!
#31 Ellie on 08/30/2011 (Reply)
I nominate Hamilton Elementary in Chicago for zero-waste lunch materials. The student have worked to reduce waste during lunch. The eco-friendly materials are great but many student can't afford to purchase them. Thank you
#31.1 Peggy on 08/30/2011 (Reply)
I'd like to nominate Hamilton Elementary in Chicago for zero-waste lunch materials. Hamilton has initiated many eco-friendly projects that have taught the students great habits and responsibilities. This donation would help those who cannot otherwise afford to buy such products to particpate in this particular aspect of becoming a zero-waste school. Thanks so much.
#32 Angie on 08/30/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate Loughman Oaks Elementary in Davenport, Florida. Our school has over 900 students and almost 80% are on free or reduced lunch. Our students are an amazing group that make the best of what they are dealt. It's the little things that can make the biggest impact on our kids. The joy seen on their face when they get anything new for their own... the first week of school is better than christmas for some of our children. "Mamma Gail" in our front office is a local version of santa to these kids on a regular basis. This past year we started participating in the "green bag project" it helps needy families by sending food home with the students for the weekend. Sadly, some of our kids don't have much on the weekends otherwise. New lunch supplies would mean so much to these children, beyond just something new that is all their own. It would be a wonderful way to introduce green lifestyles to some that often are far too focused on other isses...
#33 Crystal Strock on 08/31/2011 (Reply)
I would like to nominate Hamilton School in Chicago, IL. We are dedicated to becoming a green school and through our waste audit it was found that most of the lunch waste was in the form of ziplocs, juice boxes and straws. This donation would further our movement towards a zero waste school.
#34 Elizabeth on 08/31/2011 (Reply)

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