How to Host a Box Top Bash + PB&J Granola Parfaits

Last week I shared a post about the Box Tops for Education program and the amazing ways that Box Tops are contributing to schools around the country. But let's be realistic -- sometimes you need a little motivation to get excited about pitching in!

The truth is that there are countless ways you can make Box Top collecting enjoyable {and even enticing!} for anyone and everyone who wants to participate. Even busy parents!

I've yet to meet a mama who doesn't enjoy a good "girl's night out" with her friends. The start of a new school year is the perfect excuse for a gathering to celebrate surviving another summer the milestone of the kiddos heading back to the classroom. So I was thinking... why not do a little good while you have a little fun by hosting a Box Top Bash?

The idea is quite simple, really. Make some tasty treats with your favorite General Mills Box Tops products, invite your gal pals to do the same, summon everyone for a "potluck"-style gathering and collect the Box Tops that were used in making all the delightful dishes you share! You can theme the party around a specific holiday or theme, make it an evening affair or even mix it up with a Box Top brunch! Have a group that's into friendly competition? How about awarding a small prize to the dish made with the most Box Top items?

If the ladies in your life aren't into cooking, you could sweeten the deal by providing noshy bites and hosting a party with a twist. For example, my girlfriends have had Bunco nights where we each pitch in a few bucks and the champion takes the pot of winnings. You could easily "Bunco for Box Tops" where, instead of chipping in cash, each player brings a certain number of Box Tops! Winner takes all for their kid's school -- not to mention bragging rights with the girls AND with the teacher! {Maybe just keep the gambling part under wraps. Wink, wink!}

The best part about collecting Box Tops is that you can get your whole community involved. Invite your neighborhood, church, sports teams and, of course, schools to participate with their own Box Top parties. Not sure how to get started? Here are just a few ideas:

Give to get! You've heard of a bake sale... why not a Box Tops Bake Sale? Following the same idea, invite community members to "pay" for baked goods in Box Tops and get some sweet treats in return!

Make it a competition. Nothing gets kids {and adults} more excited than a friendly rivalry! Classroom competitions are always a popular way to get kids involved in a challenge... especially when the winner gets an ice cream party!

Raffle off a prize. Ask local businesses for exciting donations that will draw interest. Turn in Box Tops for raffle tickets and hold a drawing for a lucky winner.

Mark your progress creatively. Kids are often visual, and goal setting can be abstract unless there's a mental image of the ultimate objective. Print out a picture of what the school intends to purchase with Box Top money and set out a big container or bulletin board where kids can see their contributions accumulate!

Make it EASY.  The truth is, as much as parents want to help, busy schedules and constant obligations can make participating a chore. Teachers can facilitate parent involvement by providing labeled zip-top bags with a clip or magnet that can be placed in prominent place in the house {i.e. the fridge?} and adding "collection days" to the classroom newsletter or calendar as a friendly reminder. I've also seen teachers give a self-addressed, stamped envelope to anyone who is willing to collect and send in Box Tops. It doesn't have to stop with classroom parents -- family and friends who live anywhere can take part with this clever collection method. Easy peasy!

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Since brunch seems to be such a thing these days, I decided to whip up a simple recipe that could easily be made ahead: PB&J Granola Parfaits. Just a bit of yogurt, a dollop of jam, some crushed peanut butter granola bars and some blueberries are all you need for adorable brunch bites. The "recipe" is also easy to scale for larger groups.

These dainty little darlings are surely worthy of a few Box Tops, and your friends will feel great about pitching in for a good cause!

PB&J Granola Parfaits

1 package Nature's Valley Peanut Butter Granola Bars
1 cup plain Greek yogurt {or your favorite kind}
1/4 cup strawberry jelly or jam*
1/4 cup fresh {or frozen, thawed} blueberries**

1. With a rolling pin or meat tenderizer, smash the granola bars into bits. {I did this right in their packaging for less cleanup!} Set aside.

2. In a small bowl, gently fold in strawberry jelly so that it maintains a swirled effect. Spoon evenly among 4 small ramekins.

3. Divide the crumbled granola bars among each of the servings. Top each with a few blueberries.

Serve immediately. If refrigerating for later use, add granola pieces just before serving so they maintain their crunch.

*You may substitute for your favorite flavor.
** Any fruit will do!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of General Mills®. The opinions and text are all mine.

Prep for School: Box Tops for Education!

Take a deep breath. Do you smell that? Freshly sharpened pencils, brand new shoes and school bus exhaust. {I was going to add in chalk dust but now it's dry erase marker. Yuck. I didn't say all the smells were good ones!}

The excitement of back-to-school time is in the air! 

Whether you are hoarding tissues in your glove compartment because you can't believe your baby is growing up, or you're doing a happy dance in celebration of the fact that the long {looooong} days of summer have finally come to an end, there's no denying that it's time to pack those book bags and send kids on their way.

In my pre-food blogger life, I was an elementary school teacher. And let me tell you, as happy as I was to meet new students and start with a fresh slate every year, it could also be pretty stressful.

My teacher-y days! I'm all official holding a file folder.

Not only was there lesson planning, establishing rules and procedures and setting expectations, but there was also keeping track of supplies and inventory of classroom necessities. Many necessities that I payed for out of my own pocket! 

In districts across the U.S., there is a serious need for help in covering the costs of educating thousands of children, let alone providing them with any of the extras that make learning fun. Many teachers take it upon themselves to dig into their pockets and shell out some of their own earnings to contribute to the learning environment of their classrooms and their schools. You may not believe it, but there were times my students clamored over who got to use "the good eraser" or worked harder just to earn a sticker or a small prize, often times because they didn't have very much at home.

Whether my school was able to reimburse me or not, I always made sure to have everything I needed for the kind of classroom that felt welcoming to my students. Now that I have a kiddo of my own, I'm even more invested in finding ways to help schools meet their needs and provide them with a helping hand. Luckily, programs like Box Tops for Education create ways to involve schools and communities in being part of the solution!

I'm embarrassed to say so, but I'm a total Box Tops for Education rookie. I mean, I've clipped a box top or two. But even though more than 80,000 K-8 schools participate, I never really knew a whole lot about the program until recently.

Did you know that each box top is worth 10 cents? And, while a dime may not seem like a whole lot to you, multiplied times all the families in a school, they can sure add up quickly!

In honor of my newfound knowledge, I went on a shopping excursion at my local Walmart to pick up some General Mills products {currently offering bonus Box Tops!} for creative recipe inspiration. My cart companion was a little grumpy and quite shocked when I told him that we were actually helping a school earn money by grocery shopping!

"Say whaaaat, mama?"

The classic Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios and Nature's Valley Granola Bars called to me... I must've been in a breakfasty state of mind!

They sure did cheer up Cole, too...

"Hey look! BONUS Box Tops!"

It almost seems too good to be true that many of the items we buy on a weekly or monthly basis -- pantry staples, treats, and ingredients for some of our favorite recipes -- come with the added perk of earning money for schools. It's a two for one, really! And the only extra step that it requires from you is a few seconds with a pair of scissors before you toss that box into the recycling bin. {Which, by the way, can totally be delegated to one of the kids as part of their responsibilities!}

That tiny bit of effort can grow into one BIG contribution for a school {up to $20,000 per year, in fact!} when everyone bands together and participates, which is pretty cool if you ask me. New books. Manipulatives. Computers. Playground equipment. School activities and parties. The possibilities are endless! And so is the gratitude from the folks who work hard to make school a place kids want to be. {Take it from me. Teachers are so grateful for helpers!}

I have a super fun post coming up very soon about how to get your family, friends and community involved in collecting Box Tops... while having a blast doing so! Keep an eye out for what Cole and I whipped up in the kitchen with one of our purchases!

Do you collect Box Tops for your school?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of General Mills®. The opinions and text are all mine.