Box tops opening a school controversy

Schools that collect soup labels are given a credit for each label. The credits can be used to order equipment from a catalogue. Schools have received audio-visual and physical education equipment as well as educational toys.

Schools receive cash -- 10 to 15 cents -- for each of the General Mills box tops they collect. The program -- "Box Tops for Education" -- has caused some controversy in some Catholic schools around the country. The Diocese of Gary, Indiana, has banned its schools from participating because the General Mills foundation made a grant to Planned Parenthood of Minnesota. The Pittsburgh diocesan Department for Catholic Schools notified its schools of General Mills' contribution but did not prohibit participation in the program.

Allegra Sinclair, a spokesperson for the General Mills Foundation, said it had given a grant "for education; none of the funds that we have donated to that organization go toward abortion." She said the foundation has two key areas of emphasis in funding: violence and crime prevention, and education.

The Albany Diocese has not issued a ban on Box Tops for Education at this time. According to Nancy Machold, director of development for the Catholic School Office, "We are proceeding with caution" to look into the issue. (MM)

(02-11-99) [[In-content Ad]]