Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County
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SLO Food Bank

Coalition of San Luis Obispo County

Bottle and Can Plan

 

Grant, the program's creator, collects bottles and cans

We think you'll agree-The Bottle and Can Plan is amazing!  When first tried at Los Ranchos Elementary School in San Luis Obispo, kids and families collected over 15,000 bottles and cans to recycle. Converted into cash, they added up to $770.20, enough money for the Food Bank Coalition to purchase 7700 pounds of food.

What's even more amazing is that the idea was the brainchild of an eight-year-old. Check out the original thinking behind the Bottle and Can Plan here.

At Los Ranchos, the recycling drive took place every Friday morning during one month. Kids brought bottles and cans on those mornings, and a team was waiting near the parking lot to count, tally and load the recyclables into pickup trucks.

Grant's father Scott helps with the Bottle and Can Plan
Parents took the bottles and cans to a recycling center and set the proceeds aside until the month was complete.

Here are some things to consider in organizing your own Bottle and Can Plan:

  • Check with your school's administration team-do they like the idea?
  • Will teachers want to challenge each other to see which class brings in the most?
  • Will teachers want to use the opportunity to teach about hunger?
  • Could you suggest that parents might match their child's total with a check to the Food Bank?
  • Do you have a safe place for kids to bring their bottles and cans?
  • Can you sign up a few parents with trucks to help?
  • Will one responsible person be willing to keep the running tally?

At the Food Bank, we'd like to help as much as we can.  We may be able to assist you with a flyer design, a letter home to parents or other tools you may need.  Send us an email or give us a call in Paso Robles at 805-238-4664 to talk.