I remember back when I was in school the fundraisers, while they weren't great, actually had things that people wanted to buy, like a 3 lb container of sour gummi worms for $5, now a days it seems like it's all really expensive stuff with no real value to it at all. For instance, last year my son brought home some cheese danish catalogue that while I am sure they tasted good, they wanted $20+ for a danish that had 4 servings on it. This year it's pasta, I can get a 14 oz bag of shaped pasta for a whopping $6.50. And I might get it if it was say, a double pack of 14 oz bags for that price, but it just seems really expensive and unappealing to spend $6.50 on a bag of pasta that is smaller than the containers of pasta I get at the store for $2, if that, just because its in the shape of pirates or dinosaurs or something. I know last year no one bought any of the danish things because of the price, not even his grandparents, and I don't see anyone being too interested in this year's pasta either.
In contrast, one of the fundraisers they do in the middle of the year, and end of the year as well, is selling coupons for subs at one of our local sub shops. $7 for a sub that's big enough to feed a family for a whole meal. Those we sell tons of, and it's because it's something that is actually desirable. Just my son himself sold 14 of those in the first round last year, and then another 17 at the second one towards the end of the year.
In contrast, one of the fundraisers they do in the middle of the year, and end of the year as well, is selling coupons for subs at one of our local sub shops. $7 for a sub that's big enough to feed a family for a whole meal. Those we sell tons of, and it's because it's something that is actually desirable. Just my son himself sold 14 of those in the first round last year, and then another 17 at the second one towards the end of the year.