Cutting boards as a fundraiser - Good idea?

[Ken Kirkley]

My son and several of his Debate teammates are trying to raise money to go to debate camp this summer. An idea I have is to have them make cutting boards, both end grain and regular, coasters and trivets and sell them locally through CL and craft shows.

First, is this a good idea? There are 3 boys, all with HS shop experience but not much beyond that. I would supervise them in the shop, with safety as the most important goal.

Second, what is the likelihood that local custom cabinet shops would be willing to donate scraps to be used in these projects? Anything that will reduce material costs would mean more money for their fund.

Any suggestions, ideas, comments. I want to have my eye as wide open as possible before entering into this commitment.

[Tom Walz]

I’ll buy a couple small ones.

I have a big one, maybe 18” x 12”, that I like but it is a hassle to scrub it and let it air dry each time I use it. Maybe 12” x12” would be a better size.

I’d think your scrap wood idea is pretty good. A lot of nice folks in the cabinet business.

I’d play up the kid angle. I have bought a lot of candy bars, cookies, etc. over the years just because kids were selling them.

Renee’, the webmaster, just walked in. She wants one the same size, 12”x12”.

Depending on the price she thinks we could sell them on our web site. The only problem with that is we would want an ongoing supply.

For us to sell them we need complete details and great pictures. We need pictures where the board will gleam or shine with no glare. We need complete details on wood source, manufacture, kinds of glue, etc. We need to show people that they are safe. We really like a good story, like helping kids. We can help you with this.

It is common for us to get 50% off the retail price on what we sell. We can do with a little less but we focus on the areas where we make the most money.

I did a quick Internet search (see below) and cutting boards are all over the place in price, features, etc. Personally, I would like to but a good, solid, plain cutting board. A real working board. I don’t like or need grooves, etc.

Tom

Some comparisons

Martha Stewart, made in India, is $24.99 for 10x15
Williams Sonoma 3” thick, end grain cherry, 12x12 is 119.95
Amazon, Norpro 19x15 is $39.99
Walmart Architec Gripperwood Sheesham 10"x15" is $24.96 (don’t know what most of those words mean)
Kmart, Maple, 14 x 20 is $17.99

http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=254726&cm_mmc=GoogleShopping-_-6-_-77-_-MP677 (http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=254726&cm_mmc=GoogleShopping-_-6-_-77-_-MP677)

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/7295504/?catalogId=50&bnrid=3180501&cm_ven=Shopping&cm_cat=Froogle&cm_pla=default&cm_ite=default (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/7295504/?catalogId=50&bnrid=3180501&cm_ven=Shopping&cm_cat=Froogle&cm_pla=default&cm_ite=default)

http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Wood-Cutting-Board-19-by-15-Inch/dp/B00061N0PU

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10910653&sourceid=1500000000000003260370&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10910653 (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10910653&sourceid=1500000000000003260370&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10910653)

[Ken Kirkley]

Tom, thanks for the input and research. We will need to make a few first to see how it goes and if we can get into 'production' mode in order to make them in large quantities.

What is your website?

[Mike Heidrick]

I think most of your craft fairs will happen after camp.

Find some cheerleaders and have a car wash.

[Ken Kirkley]

Debate kids finding cheerleaders? Uhm, yeah I can see that happening!

We do have a fair number of local craft shows here in the Twin Cities in the March -April timeframe. We will spend the next week or so producing our first batch to see how they turn out and determine if this is even feasible.

Thanks!

[Tom Walz]

Website is www.carbideprocessors.com (http://www.carbideprocessors.com/)

We are moving to a new platform this week but, hopefully, it will work for you.

We started selling saw blades and added router bits. We found the wooden watches, thought they were cool and started selling them as well. The watches ell well and are fun so we are going to sell more wooden items. We were going to wait a couple weeks until the store was moved but I saw your post. People are more likely to buy if there is a charity involved. They don’t want to pay more but they are more likely to buy.

Call me at 253 476-1282 if you want to talk. We have an 800 number for sales. Call them, give them your number and I will call you.

Tom

[Thomas S Stockton]

I've donated cutting boards to various school auctions over the years and have found them to be among the things that get closet to retail value so I think it would be a great idea. I think your best market might be in the school itself, it's getting a little late in the season but you might be able to set up a table at basketball games and sell them or at some other large school event.
Tom

[Chip Lindley]

Ohhhh, cuttingboards! I was visualizing a tent where the neighborhood came to have their lumber or plywood cut to exact size! Hmmmm.... there are lots of saturday morning bookcase builders who might just take you up on that!

Nice cuttingboards are always in season. Culinary types must have them. Microwave types use them for decoration!

[Jeff Sudmeier]

I think you would do well with this if you can make them up quickly enough.

Anything for charity or kids sells better than if it was selling on its own.

If I could have the money that the things I donate to charity auctions fetch I wouldn't need my day job :) An 8x8 cutting board for $250?

Good luck!

[Matt Day]

I think it's a good idea, and you could also do some simple serving trays for variety. I'd keep it simple and not do end grain cutting boards, simply because they take more time to make. I wouldn't worry about the prices you see at those big box stores - handmade with local hardwoods by young people for a good cause is going to be what sells it, not how the price compares to the cheapo stuff you find at walfart.

[Ellen Benkin]

I made several to sell at a school craft fair. They were very popular and, if you stick to the "strip" kind, very easy to make with scrap wood. Kids should be able to manage cutting and gluing and sanding and finishing. Make them with a variety of woods and in a variety of sizes. Some people like them very thick (over 1") and some are happy with 3/4" or less. My pitch (just before Christmas) was that they are the perfect presents -- attractive, useful, and very easy to wrap. Keep the prices reasonable (my most expensive was $50) and you'll have no trouble selling them.

[Dave Rathert]

You mentioned trivets. Here’s an easy trivet idea for ya. I made 20 or so of these 5 years ago as “stocking stuffer” gifts for friends and family. Almost all of them are still in use and/or displayed. It’s a simple square frame with a rabbet for a plywood base. I sized mine so the wine corks are just a bit proud of the frame. After the frames are made the young men can glue in the corks without any adult supervision so that will free up some of your time. I sliced thin disks out of corks to glue on the bottom for “feet.” Go to your local wine shop to ask for corks. They probably have regular wine tastings and should be able to save a bunch of corks for you in no time. Heck, they may even put up a small display and help you sell them. I’d bet big wine drinkers would love ‘em.
If you want the actual dimensions let me know. Sorry about the picture quality, this was a rush job with my cell phone.

-D