I picked this up from Black Five because ... well anyone who lists Juliet Gordon Low on their 20 Greatest American list probably would be interested in pushing Girl Scout cookies. This is a good project. Our soldiers get the perfect comfort food from home and the troop selling the cookies gets to earn some money and the council that troop is part of gets to put money in their coffers to help send kids to camp and provide facilities for other Scouts. A win win all the way around. Go order a box today.
Everybody loves Girl Scout cookies
CJ from a Soldier's Perspective sends this:
I'm in the final week of taking orders for Girl Scout cookies to send overseas to 2 Marine units. This is my second year doing this. Last year we shipped over 100 boxes to Army units in Afghanistan and Iraq. Our goal this year is 200. We've already gotten orders for 60 boxes in just over a week. Would you mention this on your site for anyone that would like to help send GS cookies? I would greatly appreciate it. Here is the link to all the information: http://www.soldiersperspective.us/?p=1262
Black Five says "I personally recommend Thin Mints, but they tend to melt in the heat so you might consider that." I'm partial to the Samoans myself.
Q: Is the purchase of Girl Scout Cookies tax-deductible?
A: No and Yes.
- No, if the customer keeps the cookies. Individuals who buy Girl Scout Cookies and take the cookies home, or consume them, have purchased a product at a fair market value. For this reason, no part of the price of a box of Girl Scout Cookies used in this way is tax-deductible.
- Yes, if the customer leaves the cookies with Girl Scouts. Many Girl Scouts ask customers to pay for one or more boxes of cookies for use in their community service project, for example, collecting for a food pantry. The customers not receiving any Girl Scout Cookies do not benefit directly from paying for them. Those individuals may treat the purchase price of the donated cookies as a charitable contribution.
Cookie Revenue
Q: When I buy Girl Scout Cookies, where does the money go?
A: With every purchase, approximately 70% of the proceeds stays in the local Girl Scout council to provide a portion of the resources needed to support Girl Scouting in that area, including a portion that goes directly to the troop/group selling the cookies. The balance goes directly to the baker to pay for the cookies.
Q: How does the cookie revenue benefit girls?
A: All of the revenue—every penny after paying the baker—earned from cookie activities stays with the local Girl Scout council that sponsors the sale, including a portion that goes directly to the troop/group selling cookies. Councils use their cookie revenue to supply essential services to troops, groups, and individual girls, such as providing program resources and communication support, training adult volunteers, and conducting special events. The Girl Scout council's volunteer board of directors:
- Chooses the baker.
- Determines the price per box.
- Decides how this revenue will be used to provide vital services—such as leader recruitment and training and operation of camps and service centers—and other indirect expenses.
- Decides how much money will be returned to troops/groups selling cookies for their projects and activities.
Q: What portion of the cookie revenue is shared with the troop/group selling cookies?
A:
That decision is made by each local Girl Scout council, so the portion
varies from one council to another. Nationwide, an individual
troop/group receives from 12-17% of the purchase price of each box
sold. The troop holds the money earned in its treasury, and its girl
members vote on how to use that money.
Q: Are all Girl Scout Cookies kosher?
A: Yes. All Girl Scout Cookies are kosher.
Q: What are the best-selling Girl Scout Cookies?
A: Our biggest sellers are:
25% Thin Mints
19% Samoas®/Caramel deLites™
13% Peanut Butter Patties®/Tagalongs®
11% Peanut Butter Sandwich/Do-si-dos™
9% Shortbread/Trefoils
The other varieties combined account for the remaining 23%.
I want to add something to this as well to avoid anyone getting the wrong idea. The Girl Scout cookies my daughter is selling only cost $3.50. The reason the asking price is $5 is to pay for shipping costs and material. Any money we have above and beyond what is needed will just buy more cookies.
Thank you for reminding people that donations to this project are NOT tax deductible. I am not a 501(c)(3) and unfortunately can't offer that. however, I can offer a 100% guarantee that these cookies will be well received and appreciated. Eating dirt gets old after awhile.
And to those buying cookies, THANK YOU!!
Posted by: CJ | 29 September 2006 at 08:09 PM
Wanted to let you and your readers know that we've gotten more than 220 boxes of cookies donated since beginning the project. I'll be removing the donation link at 300, since it will be at that point that I exhaust my list of Marines the cookies will go to. Thanks to everyone for donating.
Posted by: CJ | 30 September 2006 at 10:38 AM