Community Corner

Kids Ring The Doorbell To Sell Cookies; What Do You Do? [Block Talk]

Do you automatically say yes to the kid who shows up at your door selling things for a school fundraiser? If you don't, what do you say?

The youngest fundraisers are often the hardest to turn down when they’re selling items to raise money for their schools or other groups. What do you think of the practice?
The youngest fundraisers are often the hardest to turn down when they’re selling items to raise money for their schools or other groups. What do you think of the practice? (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

ACROSS AMERICA — Your doorbell just rang, and it’s the neighbor kid selling cookies, popcorn, chocolate bars, fruit, cup noodles, magazines or any other thing you can think of to raise money for their school or other group.

We get the inner conflict. It’s important to support schools, especially as budgets become tighter and many states are cutting the amount of aid schools get. But inflation is hitting you, too.

What do you do? Do you always say yes because you feel obligated to support the cause, or do you politely decline? Do you feel obligated? Do you wish the school or other sponsoring organization would just tell you how much money your child is expected to raise, so you can just write a check and be done with it?

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About Block Talk

Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com, with Block Talk as the subject line.

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