Grandmothers, great aunts and others who clip Campbell’s soup labels for a popular school program need to get them in quicker than it takes to cook most casseroles.
The Campbell Soup Company’s Labels for Education program changed how they accept the labels – from taking just the front part to now requiring only the UPC code on the back.
School boosters worry that may make hundreds of clipped labels sitting under silverware trays and in junk drawers valueless unless they’re turned in to schools and returned by Dec. 31.
“After that, all the labels that are sitting in grandma’s kitchens all across this area will be worthless,” said Kelly Roundy, a parent who coordinates the program for Trafton School in Arlington.
More than 300 schools and preschools in Snohomish County participate in the 30-year-old fundraiser, where points build up and can be redeemed for supplies and equipment.
At Garfield Elementary School in Everett, the points have provided four DVD players, eight microscopes, library books and various other supplies.
Garfield secretary Virginia Wilson said the change in the rules took her by surprise since it was made as classrooms closed for summer vacations.
Campbell’s is giving schools one-time codes to use for any remaining labels they receive through the end of the year.
Many schools are looking at earlier deadlines, however, with winter vacations starting Dec. 18.
“I’m going to wait until the last minute, because we’re still getting some in,” Wilson said.
Wilson said the company’s flexibility has saved her some headaches though she’s not sure why the change was made.
Campbell’s spokesman John Faulkner said the switch makes schools’ packaging costs less expensive because they’re sending in less paper.
“Schools are very honest about how they report their labels. … I don’t think we’ll be doing more rigorous scanning of every label. But when and where we are, that’s the code we can use,” he added. “We’re trying not to cause any angst.”
Roundy of Arlington recalled taking part as an eighth-grader at St. Mary Magdalen School in Everett in 1976. Then and now, the points helped get her school things such as sports equipment.
Many people save up their labels so Roundy said she is worried that not everyone knows of the change. The other day, one Trafton student brought in a bag of labels from his grandmother – 2,500 of them – just in time.
To find out more about the rules and if your school participates, visit www.labelsforeducation.com.
Reporter Melissa Slager: 425-339-3465 or mslager@heraldnet.com.
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