Concession sales aid schools, nonprofits - Indianapolis Star

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Many extracurricular activities, such as dances and athletic camps, rely on fundraising.

"I think everything we can do in fundraising that is not a door-to-door project by students is an improvement," said John Ellis, executive director of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents. "They just don't seem to work well. I don't think they generate as much revenue, and I don't like sending kids out to do that."

Centerplate, the licensed food vendor at Lucas Oil Stadium, contracts with 101 groups to run its 146 permanent and portable concession stands and has doled out more than $2.74 million in its nonprofit program since the stadium opened in 2008.

Of those 101 groups, 56 are schools. The rest are a mishmash of organizations, including dance companies and gymnastics teams.

"What we get is a really good quality of personnel behind the concession stands," said John Stockholm, general manager at Centerplate. "Volunteers really do care and tend to provide better customer service.

"It's primarily a win-win situation," he said. "Not only do we put money back in the community, but in most cases, we end up with a much better grade of stand worker."

Volunteers undergo training through Centerplate, and group leaders are given a seminar by Marion County Health Department officials.

Volunteers "receive training in food safety essentials and are subject to following the policies and procedures of Centerplate," according to Health Department spokeswoman Collette Duvalle.

During the AFC Championship Game in January, volunteers with Knightstown High School had $13,000 in sales -- a $1,170 payday.

Earning that much cash in one day "means we don't have to sell candy bars," said athletic director Jennifer Jacoby.

"As far as the money, it's a no-brainer."

Working the concession stands takes a certain level of commitment. Volunteers often work eight-hour days, arriving two hours early and cleaning up for two hours after the buzzer sounds.

"It's brutal," said Jacoby, whose school planned to have about 40 volunteers staffing seven concession stands on Final Four weekend. "It's not like you just show up for the game and leave. It's an eight-hour process.

"There is a little bit of risk," she said. "But the benefits can be amazing if people take advantage of it."

Thomas at (317) 444-6087.

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