Dealing with Those Pesky Supplies 
How to gather and pay for ’em by Pioneer Clubs Staff Shower gifts We put a request in our church bulletin for people to buy and donate things like markers, scissors, glue, and so on. They put them in a box at church like shower gifts for the Christian education ministry’s use. This was a great success. We split the donations up among the Pioneer Clubs leaders and other Christian education leaders. -Bob Hurst, Pioneer Clubs Canada Warehouse Representative Sticky notes We print our supply needs on sticky notes and place them on a board at church. People take a sticky note home and return the following week with the item(s). Judy Bryson, Pioneer Clubs President Supplies helper Some clubs recruit a “supplies helper” whose only job is to gather and prepare supplies for one or more age-groups each week. This helper would need the Supplies Needed list in the leader’s plan book and the number of club members expected to attend. He or she could buy supplies and then fold, cut, staple, or do whatever other prep work is needed. -Becky Allen-Powell, Pioneer Clubs Senior Editor Business donations Armed with a “wish list” booklet that we created, we visited local businesses that sold supplies and asked for donations. We researched beforehand to find out who we needed to talk to. Our priest signed a letter on church stationery explaining who we were and what we were doing. (Most companies require this.) At the store, we introduced ourselves, gave the person the opportunity to read the letter, and then presented our wish list booklet. We explained the store could make a gift of money or supplies. It was really very simple. We mostly went to local businesses because they seemed more apt to give. Target and Sam’s Club were notable exceptions and very generous. For larger quantities of products, we contacted local chain office-supply stores. -Carlene Smith, Pioneer Clubs Mentoring Coordinator Church fundraiser One year we did a fundraiser to raise money for supplies. We decorated a box and put it in the narthex. Several children manned the box and gave out Scripture mints to people who put in money. The mints were donated by a local Christian bookstore. -Carlene Smith, Pioneer Clubs Mentoring Coordinator Adopt-a-club Adult Sunday school classes could “adopt” one club age-group by providing supplies for it. Class members could also take turns preparing the supplies. -Connie Powers, Pioneer Clubs Communications Coordinator Parent requests Leaders could go through the Supplies Needed sections in their meeting plans and make a list of all supplies they need for a unit or the whole year. Club members could then take the list home at the beginning of each unit or the club year, and parents can contribute items as they are able. -Connie Powers, Pioneer Clubs Communications Coordinator |
