Locally sourced fundraising works

A perennial editorial ritual of mine, usually at the beginning of the Christmas shopping season, is to rant about the value of shopping locally. I like to remind readers of the economic power that they wield and that their decisions as consumers have a genuine impact. When those dollars are spent locally, they tend to circulate—supporting payrolls, suppliers, and secondary businesses—rather than disappearing down the highway. Economists use terms like “original dollars” and the “multiplier effect,” but the concept is straightforward: money spent here has a way of working here, creating a ripple that extends well beyond the initial transaction.

With those thoughts in mind, I have often wondered about the fundraisers held by various non-profit and student groups around town and a seeming preference for hustling out-of-town products.

When my children were still in school, I recall sitting in a meeting with parents planning a fundraiser for an out-of-town student trip. It quickly became clear that selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts was not only a foregone conclusion but a well-rehearsed routine. Drivers had already been assigned, and plans were in place for the trip to Omaha to pick up the order. When I cautiously suggested that we had a local bakery producing fresh, hand-cut doughnuts, the idea was dead on arrival. It was apparent that the possibility of working with a local vendor had not been considered.

It’s an issue that has always bothered me a bit, but I understand the appeal of nationally advertised brands, and vendors like Little Caesars offer programs that provide both convenience and scale for organizations operating under tight timelines and limited volunteer capacity. Those realities deserve consideration.

Quite frankly, it’s a topic I had given up on until Bill Lesko at Citta’ Deli recently told me about his partnership with McCook Christian Church. Lesko put me in touch with Seth Bates, who explained that he was faced with the task of raising funds to send 91 students to a summer conference in Lincoln. Bates had worked with a local vendor before, and again chose a solution that aligned with the needs of the youth group and with the broader interests of the community.

The results are instructive. Bates and Lesko struck a deal to sell Citta’s Original Rocket frozen pizzas. What began as a modest expectation of 400 units sold quickly exceeded projections, ultimately reaching 1,100. The appeal of a locally made product, combined with the relationships and familiarity inherent in doing business close to home, proved to be a powerful combination.

As Bates explained, “We find that it’s a lot easier to sell local products. You know the person you’re working with, and it makes the whole process a lot easier. It just keeps all that money local.”

Lesko, for his part, acknowledged that participation required some flexibility. Margins were adjusted and production demands increased, yet the benefits were tangible. His product reached new customers, the church met—and exceeded—its fundraising goals and the community retained the economic value of those transactions.

The success of that local partnership demonstrates that another path is available—one that requires a bit more intention, perhaps a bit more coordination, but yields benefits that extend beyond the immediate goal of raising funds.

Hats off to Bill and Seth for showing us that it can be done–and it was a win.